KYOTO - Kinkakuji (金閣寺, Golden Pavilion)

December 02, 2013

So is the Day 2 at Kyoto , Japan. After breakfast we headed to the first famous destination in Kyoto that is Kinkakuji temple known as (金閣寺, Golden Pavilion). Seeing Kinkakuji for the first time is truly breathtaking. The heart of the temple complex is the Golden Pavilion (kinka-ku), situated picturesquely in its garden at the edge of a lake. This layout is typical of the Shinden style of the Heian period and is intended to suggest a position between heaven and earth. The pavilion extends partially over the pond and is beautifully reflected in the calm waters. It is one of the most beautiful sights in Kyoto.

Be it capped by snow in winter or set against a lush green background in summer, nothing is as symbolic of Kyoto as Kinkaku-ji's golden reflection shimmering across the rippled surface of the pond before it.

I find the garden , leaves and pond scenery here are very nice! The garden complex is an excellent example of Muromachi period garden design. The Muromachi period is considered to be a classical age of Japanese garden design.