Kinkaku ji (金閣寺), also known as the “Golden Pavilion,” is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto whose top two floors are covered in gold leaf. Its official name is Rokuon-ji, and it originally served as the retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.

The pavilion is a striking structure overlooking a large pond and is actually the only remaining building from Yoshimitsu’s former retirement complex. That said, “remaining” is a bit misleading - the pavilion has been burned down multiple times throughout history, including during the Onin War and again in 1950 when it was set on fire by a fanatic monk. The current structure was rebuilt in 1955.

Near the exit, you’ll find souvenir shops, a small tea garden where you can enjoy matcha and sweets, and the Fudo Hall, which houses a statue of Fudo Myoo - one of the Five Wisdom Kings and a protector of Buddhism. According to tradition, the statue was carved by Kukai (Kobo Daishi), one of the most important religious figures in Japanese history.