Let's visit all the temples in Kyoto efficiently!

Many people may answer "Kinkakuji" or "Ginkakuji" when asked about famous temples in Kyoto.
Did you know that there is a temple called "Copper Pavilion Temple" named after the Kinkakuji and Ginkakuji temples?

In this article, we will introduce "Kinkaku-ji" and "Ginkaku-ji", which you should keep in mind first when sightseeing in Kyoto, and "Doukaku-ji", which is usually closed to the public and cannot be visited unless there is a special opening, but can be seen from the outside and is famous for its Gionkaku.

If you are going to visit Kyoto, you will want to tour the three temples efficiently. We will also guide you on how to visit the temples starting from Kyoto Station, which is not often introduced in other articles, so please be sure to read to the end.

Table of Contents

Kinkakuji Temple

Ginkakuji Temple

Dokakuji Temple

■ Summary

Kinkakuji Temple

■What is the famous Kinkakuji Temple in Kyoto?

The Kinkakuji Temple was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
Kinkakuji Temple is a representative building of the Kitayama culture of the Muromachi period (1333-1573), and its official name is Rokuonji, one of the pagoda temples of Shokokuji Temple.
The splendor of the Golden Pavilion in the Shariden Hall is especially famous and is known to many as "Kinkakuji Temple.

History of Kinkakuji Temple

The Golden Pavilion was built in 1397 and has a history of more than 600 years.

A pagoda temple of the Shokokuji School of Rinzai Sect, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the third Muromachi shogun, built Kitayama-den in 1397 and began the construction of Shariden.
Shariden, where the remains of the Buddha are enshrined, is where Ashikaga Yoshimitsu spent the rest of his life, and according to his last will and testament, the temple came to be called "Rokuonji Temple.

Kinkakuji Temple contributed to the development of culture, and its architecture and gardens are a representation of the Pure Land of Paradise, a place where the splendor of the Kitayama culture can be seen.

In its more than 600 years of history, the temple has faced various crises: in 1467, the Onin War broke out, but fortunately the Shariden was unharmed.
However, in 1950, the Shariden was completely destroyed by arson committed by Seung-Hyun Hayashi, an apprentice monk. As a result, many cultural assets were lost, including a statue of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, a Buddhist picture scroll, a statue of Muso Soseki, and a statue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, all of which were national treasures.

In 1955, the temple was successfully restored, and a major renovation in 1987 brought the temple to its present appearance. In 1994, Kinkakuji was registered as a World Heritage Site as a cultural asset of the ancient capital of Kyoto.

■Why is it called the Golden Pavilion?

Why is Kinkakuji Temple named "Kinkakuji Temple"?
The official name of Kinkakuji Temple is "Rokuonji," and the golden Shariden (a hall of offerings) is a spectacular sight.
The temple was named after Rikaen-in, the legal name of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.

However, it is called Kinkakuji Temple because of the golden color of Shariden.
Although its construction is simple, it continues to attract many people with its impressive presence.

■Highlight of Kinkakuji Temple, Kyoto

reliquary hall

Shariden shines in gold. In summer, it stands out against the lush greenery, and in winter, its roof is covered with pure white snow, creating a beautiful contrast.

XX Kagamiko Pond

Kagamiko Pond around the Shariden.
The approximately 92,400 m2 area including this pond is designated as a special cultural historic site and a special place of scenic beauty as the Rokuonji Garden.
If the weather is fine, the reflection of Shariden in Kagamiko Pond like a mirror is also wonderful.

Chinese phoenix

The "Phoenix" is installed at the top of the Shariden. Please pay attention to the figure as it can be seen at the very top.
There are various theories as to why it was installed,
As a guardian deity to protect against calamity and for eternal prosperity.
To spread the word about the emergence of a virtuous monarch
and so on.
The most important reason seems to be to appeal to Ashikaga Yoshimitsu's future delivery of the country.

Sekka Tei

Yukatei is a tea ceremony room at Kinkakuji Temple. It was created by tea ceremony master Kanamori Shigechika.
Yugakatei, which means "the Golden Pavilion looks especially fine reflected in the setting sun," from which you can look down on Kinkakuji Temple.

○Gingasen (Gingasen)

The Ginga Fountain is located on the back side of the Golden Pavilion. It is like a small pool of water, but water is gushing out.

Anminzawa

Anminzawa was once used as a place to pray for rain. It is located deep inside the Golden Pavilion, on a hill about 50 meters away from the Golden Pavilion.
The stone pagoda with five rings piled on top of each other is said to be the shrine of the Saionji family.

Facility Name:Kinkakuji Temple (Rokuonji Temple)
Address: 1 Kinkakuji-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access: about 3 min. walk from Kyoto City Bus "Kinkakuji-michi".

HP:https://www.shokoku-ji.jp/kinkakuji/

Ginkakuji Temple

■What is the famous Ginkakuji Temple in Kyoto?

Ginkakuji Temple is located in Ginkakuji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture. Its official name is "Higashiyama Jishoji Temple" and it is one of the pagoda temples of Shokokuji Temple of the Rinzai sect. The temple is associated with the Ashikaga shogun family and is known as a symbol of the Higashiyama culture that flourished in the late Muromachi period.

Such Jishoji Temple in Higashiyama is called "Ginkakuji Temple" as opposed to Kinkakuji Temple, and is visited by tourists from all over the world.
Ginkakuji Temple
Kinkakuji Temple
Hounkaku (Nishi Hongwanji Temple)
These three temples are known as Kyoto's three pavilions, and they offer many attractions, including Kangetsudai, set in a beautiful garden, and Kannon-do, which is designated as a national treasure.

History of Ginkakuji Temple

Ginkakuji Temple was registered as a World Heritage site in 1994. Let us look back at its history.

Ginkakuji Temple was founded in 1482 when Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the eighth shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, built the Higashiyama-den (East Mountain Hall).
It was lost during the Onin War that took place after 1467, and Ginkakuji was built on the site.

The temple is called Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) because of its contrast with the glamorous Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) of the Kitayama Bunka period.
Ashikaga Yoshimasa moved there in 1485 and lived there for the rest of his life.

In 1485, Seishi-an was completed, followed by Togudo the next year, and Higashiyama-den Kaijo in 1485.
In 1615, the temple underwent a major renovation, and in 1994 it was designated a World Heritage Site as a cultural asset of the ancient capital of Kyoto.

■Why is it called Ginkakuji Temple?

So why is Higashiyama Jishoji Temple called Ginkakuji Temple?
Ginkakuji Temple" has been called "Ginkakuji Temple" since the Edo period (1603-1868) in contrast to Ashikaga Yoshimitsu's Kinkakuji Temple.

The Ginkakuji Temple is located in
I was going to apply silver foil and called it that.
The silver foil was so called because it was applied and later peeled off.
However, it is said that black lacquer was initially applied because silver leaf was not actually applied and the financial situation of the Muromachi shogunate did not allow for silver leaf to be applied.

Ginkakuji also has a pond called Kinjyo-ike Pond and a sand hill called Muketsudai on the Ginsanada.
These are said to serve to illuminate the main hall with the light of the moon, and some say that the temple came to be called Ginkakuji because of the silver color of the light shining on the moon.

Ginkakuji Temple is a beautiful contrast to the golden Golden Pavilion in Kitayama.
Its serene appearance will make you feel calm both physically and mentally.

■Highlight of Ginkakuji Temple, Kyoto

○Kannon Hall

If you come to Ginkakuji Temple for sightseeing, you must see Kannon-den.
Kannon-den, which represents Ashikaga Yoshimasa's religious views, is called Ginkaku, and consists of a Buddhist hall called Shinku-den on the first floor and a Buddhist hall called Shion-den on the second floor.
It was built in such a way that it does not face the west side of Kyoto, the political center of the time, and one can read the sentiments of Ashikaga Yoshimasa, who was tired of politics and retired from it.
From here, one can admire the beautiful scenery that changes with the seasons.

Xiangyue platform and the Yinsha Sea

The Muketsudai is a cone-shaped sand pile.
Its shape represents Mt. Fuji and stands 1.8 meters high.
It is said that this was built to sit on top of the mountain and watch the moon.

And the sand around it is called Ginshanada, which represents the waves.
These were made in the Edo period (1603-1867) to watch the moon rising over the Higashiyama mountains.

Pond garden

The garden is built around Kinkagyo Pond.
It is said that the garden was modeled after the garden at Koke-dera Temple, and the stone bridge over the pond and Shiratori Island are highlights.
The pond garden was designated as a Special Historic Site and a Special Place of Scenic Beauty in 1952.

○Togudo

Tougudo is also designated as a national treasure.
Built in 1486 as Ashikaga Yoshimasa's Mochibutsudo, it houses Japan's oldest teahouse, Dojinsai.
The square-shaped structure houses statues of Amida Nyorai and Ashikaga Yoshimasa.

Facility Name:Ginkakuji Temple (Jishoji Temple)
Address: 2 Ginkakuji-cho, Sakyo, Kyoto City, Kyoto
Access: Kyoto City Bus No. 100 from JR Kyoto Station to "Ginkakuji-mae" bus stop.

HP:https://www.shokoku-ji.jp/ginkakuji/

Dokakuji Temple

■What is the famous Dokakuji Temple in Kyoto?

The official name of Dokakuji Temple is "Daewun-in. Built at the beginning of the Showa period (1926-1989), the temple was part of Kihachiro Okura's villa, Makuzuso, and was named Dokakuji Temple after the Golden Pavilion and the Silver Pavilion.
As its name suggests, Gionkaku is uniquely shaped like the floats of the Gion Festival, with a copper shingle roof, fittingly called a "copper pavilion.

■History of the Copper Pavilion

Copper Pavilion was built in 1587 by order of Emperor Shojincho to mourn the loss of father and son Oda Nobunaga and Nobutada.
It is said that the name "Daiun-in" was given to the temple after Nobutada's commandment name, Daiun-in.

Originally located in Karasuma Nijo, Daiunin was moved to the Higashiyama area of Gion in the Showa period.
This location was originally the villa of Kihachiro Okura.
He is also the founder of the Imperial Hotel and the Imperial Theater! The copper pavilions were built with this idea in mind.

■What if I want to visit the Copper Pavilion?

It is not possible to enter and view the temple as it is normally closed to the public.
In the past, TV media and others have filmed inside with special permission, so you may want to "take a look.

In fact, the Copper Pavilion sometimes holds special seasonal openings in summer and fall.
There was a special summer open house in 2024, so there is a great possibility of a special open house in the near future.

If you are able to see the building during the special exhibition, please take note of the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac on the interior ceiling and the demons on the staircase, in addition to the 36-meter-high novelty of the exterior.

Facility Name:Dokakuji Temple (Daewoin Temple)
Address: 594-1, South side of Gion-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access: about 5 minutes on foot from JR "Kyoto Station" to "Higashiyama Yasui" bus stop by city bus.

HP:https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/180323

■ Summary

If you start from Kyoto Station and go around, it is easy and convenient to take all the buses in the order of (1) Doukakuji Temple, (2) Ginkakuji Temple, and (3) Kinkakuji Temple. First, take bus No. 206 from Kyoto Station to Higashiyama Yasui, then walk about 7 minutes to reach Dokakuji Temple.

Then walk to "Gion" bus stop and take No. 203 and get off at "Kinrin Shako-mae". Walking along the Philosopher's Path and other paths, you will reach Ginkakuji Temple in about 15 minutes. Lastly, from the "Ginkakuji-michi" bus stop, take No. 204 in the direction of Kitaoji and get off at "Kinkakuji-michi" and walk for about 3 minutes to Kinkakuji Temple! These three bus lines are relatively frequent, so please try to use them in conjunction with other sightseeing spots.

In this issue, we have introduced the history and origin of the names of the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Pavilions in Kyoto.
If you are worried about your Kyoto sightseeing route, please visit there.