During my travels here in the Land of the Rising Sun, I have seen some exciting and fascinating places that often left me in awe. Of course, there are wonderful things to discover all over the world and in almost every country, but since I have somehow fallen in love with Japan, I now spend most of my time traveling around this wonderful country. And I have to admit that it does me good and I don't really need much more, at least until I've seen everything there is to see here. And since that's quite a lot, I probably won't have enough time to devote myself to the rest of the world though.
And then there are also many places I definitely want to return to. Places I liked so much when I first visited them, and also places where I simply didn't have enough time and space during my previous visit to take a closer look and really understand them. It's often only later that I become really interested in a particular place and suddenly want to know much more about it. Sometimes it can take a while, until you look back at pictures from past trips and suddenly start dreaming.
This is how I always feel, and suddenly, in addition to all the new destinations on my list, something familiar comes up again and again. Places I have already been to, but where I definitely want to visit again.
Such as Kinkaku-ji Temple in Kyoto, the former long-standing capital of the Japanese island empire.
Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺), or the Golden Pavilion of Kyoto, is one of Japan's most famous landmarks. It is a Zen temple whose upper floors are completely covered in gold leaf and is considered the epitome of Muromachi period aesthetics.
It was originally built in 1397 as a magnificent retirement villa for Shōgun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, who wanted a place of rest and representation. It was only after his death that the complex was converted into a Zen temple, but the golden pavilion, which gave the temple its current name, remained its centerpiece.
The three-story building is particularly interesting from an architectural point of view because each floor was designed in a different historical style: the first floor follows the courtly architecture of the Heian period, the second is reminiscent of samurai residential architecture, and the third is in the Chinese-influenced Zen style.
The upper two floors are completely covered in gold leaf, which makes the pavilion shine in the sunlight. On the roof sits a gilded phoenix, which is considered a symbol of harmony and rebirth.
The temple is surrounded by carefully designed gardens, which are considered a classic example of Muromachi period landscape aesthetics. In calm weather and water, the pavilion is reflected in Kyōko-chi, the so-called mirror pond, whose small islands and rocks carry symbolic meanings from Buddhist mythology.
A circular path leads visitors along moss-covered paths, past smaller shrines and a traditional teahouse, giving the grounds a meditative yet lively atmosphere. Unfortunately, in 1950, the pavilion was destroyed by arson, but it was subsequently rebuilt true to the original in 1955 and later restored once again, so that it still displays its radiant beauty today.
The Golden Pavilion belongs to the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism and is now used as a shariden, a place for storing Buddhist relics. It is not only an architectural masterpiece, but also a cultural symbol of Japan that appears repeatedly in the country's literature, art, and pop culture.
The temple is particularly impressive as the seasons change: in spring, when the cherry trees bloom; in summer, when the lush greenery captivates the visitors; in autumn, when the red and yellow maple leaves glow; and in winter, when a thin layer of white snow covers the golden building. I had been here twice before, once in midsummer and once at the beginning of spring, but it is probably most charming and beautiful here in autumn and winter.
Even though Kyoto offers so many fascinating places to visit that it is impossible to see everything, the Kingaku-ju is one of the absolute highlights of a visit to the old imperial city. This place, which combines history, spirituality, and aesthetics in such a harmonious way, is definitely a must-see if you ever visit this great city.
I would also love to visit Kingaku-ju again, as I said, preferably in autumn or winter. Unfortunately, Kyoto is a little too far away from our current home to venture on a spontaneous trip. But I am sure that I will make it here again one future day. I'm already looking forward to it, and who knows, maybe it won't take as long as I think it will today...
