Japan - Kyoto - Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion Temple)

KKinkakuji gold-leaf-covered Zen temple is one of the most beautiful sights in Kyoto. It is nestled in the woods and reflected in the waters of its garden pond. Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion Temple) is the common nickname of Rokuonji (Deer Garden Temple). Ii was built in the 14the century as a retirement villa for Shogun Yoshimitsu Ashikaga (1358-1409). He intended to cover the exterior with gold, but only managed to coat the ceiling of the third floor with gold leaf before his death. The shogun lived here in luxury as Kyoto's people suffered the effects of severe famine, earthquakes and plague - as many as 1,000 people died each day during this period. After his death, his son converted the building into a Zen temple of the Rinzaischool named Rokuonji, in accordance with Ashikaga's wishes. Its layout is typical of the Shinden style of the Heian period and is intended to suggest a position between heaven and earth.