Kyoto Imperial Palace (Kyoto Gosho) used to be the residence of Japan’s Imperial Family until 1868, when the emperor and capital were moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. It is located in the spacious Kyoto Imperial Park.

The palace burnt down and was moved around the city several times over the centuries. The present reconstruction dates from 1855. The palace complex is enclosed by a long wall and consists of several gates, halls and gardens. The enthronement ceremonies of Emperors Taisho and Showa were still held in the palace’s main hall, but the present Emperor’s ceremony took place at the Tokyo Imperial Palace.

Cherry blossoms in Daigoji

In the Shimo-Daigo area of Daigoji stand most temple halls and structures including Kyoto’s oldest building, a five storied pagoda dating from 951, and the Bentendo, a much photographed small temple hall to the goddess Benten.

More temple buildings are located at Kami-Daigoji, about a one hour walk up the mountain from the Shimo-Daigo area, where Daigoji was originally founded. Due to a fire at the temple complex in August 2008, the road to Kami-Daigoji was temporarily closed, but re-opened on January 7, 2009.

The colour of cherry blossoms is fading at Daigoji Temple

The flowers are falling and the leaves are becoming more prominent

A weeping cherry tree that has lost most of its blossoms

A pair of otemari cherry trees in Daigoji's museum area

The ball shaped bunches of flowers of the otemari trees

One of the paths at Daigoji Temple

How to get there

Daigoji is the last station on the Tozai Subway Line. From the station, it is a 15 minute walk to the temple.

From Kyoto Station, take the JR Tokaido, Kosei or Biwako Line to Yamashina Station, where you can transfer to the Tozai Subway Line.

Golden Pavilion – History

In the 1220’s it was the comfortable villa of Kintsune Saionji. Yoshimitsu, the 3rd Shogun of Ashikaga, abdicated the throne in 1394. After three years, he began to build Kitayamaden and he made a special effort to make it a breath-taking site. He indulged in his peaceful life in this serene setting. After Yoshimitsu’s death, Kitayamaden was made into a Zen temple in accordance with his will. All the buildings of those days came to ruin except Kinkaku. The garden, however, remains as it was in former days and can be enjoyed as it was hundreds of years ago. Rokuon-ji Temple was inscribed as World Cultural Heritage in 1994.

The Kinkakuji, Golden Pavilion

Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺, literally Temple of the Golden Pavilion), Kyoto

Japon - Kyoto - The golden pavilion

The golden pavilion in autumn

Golden Pavilion – Building

Kinkaku was formally called Shariden. The elegant, harmonious building consists of three types of architecture. The 1st floor is Shinden-zukuri, the palace style. It is named Ho-sui-in. The 2nd floor is Buke-zukuri, the style of the samurai house and is called Cho-on-do. The 3rd floor is Karayo style or Zen temple style. It is called Kukkyo-cho.

Both the 2nd and 3rd floors are covered with gold-leaf on Japanese lacquer. The roof, upon which the Chinese phoenix settles, is thatched with shingles.

Recently, the coating of Japanese lacquer was found a little decayed and a new coating as well as gilding with gold-leaf, much thicker than the original ones, was given to the building and was completed in 1987. Furthermore, the beautiful painting on the ceiling and the statue of Yoshimitsu were restored, with utmost care, to their original splendour.

Golden Pavilion Points of interest

The name of the pond is Kyoko-chi (Mirror pond). The pond contains many large and small islands. Climbing a few steps, you stand at the edge of another small pond, An-min-taku. The small stone pagoda on the island is called Hakuja-no-tsuka (the mound in memory of the white snake).

The classic tea house is called Sekka-tei. In Sekka-tei there is a celebrated pillar made of a nandin. The house was restored in 1997. On the way to the exit of the temple, you will find the small Fudodo shrine where the stone Fudo-myoc (Acara) is enshrined as a guardian.