About This Video
One of Japan’s most famous temples, Kinkakuji (Kinkaku-ji) or in English the Golden Pavillon, is one of Kyoto’s most popular attractions and is a world-renowned tourist location. Formally known as Rokuonji, the temple was actually the retirement house of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and according to his will, it became a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect after his death in 1408.
Kinkakuji was built to replicate the lavish Kyoto Kitayama culture that developed during Ashikaga Yoshimitsu’s times. Each floor represents a different style of architecture. With the first floor built in the Shinden Style (Heian Period), and where the second floor is built in the Bukke style (Samurai residence) with its exterior completely covered in gold leaf and finally the third floor, also covered in gold, is built has a Chinese Zen Hall capped with a golden phoenix.
