Japan Photo Guide

Kinkakuji, or the Golden Pavilion, is a Zen Temple that is covered in real gold and was originally the residence of the retired shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. The Golden Pavilion is beautiful throughout the year, especially when the fall leaves are changing colors. Along with the actual Golden Pavilion, the surrounding grounds are quite picturesque. The GP is located on the west side of Kyoto, close to Ryoanji. The best way to get there is either by taxi or bus 101 or 205.

Ryoanji Temple is most famous for it’s Zen rock garden (below), which is the most famous in all of Japan. The rock garden consists of, yes you guessed it, rocks (and a little moss). The rocks of various sizes are arranged in a certain way and small rocks (more like pebbles) are raked to create a Zen design.

Ryoanji is most famous for the rock garden, but the temple grounds are much more picturesque, especially around the lake. Also of the 4 times I have been there has been construction work on or close to the rock garden which obviously is not a plus. Ryoanji is located in northwestern Kyoto and close to Kinkakuji and Ninnanji.

For more access information please see Japan-Guide.com or the Official Ryoanji website.