Kinkaku-Ji, Temple of the Golden Pavilion

Above, Kinkaku-ji, the gold-plated Temple of the Golden Pavilion. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Kinkaku-ji, the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, was a place in Kyoto that I wanted to visit for quite a while. I had read about it and seen plenty of pictures of it, but wanted to see it for myself. In 1994, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Thankfully, it was on the itinerary of the 2004 G-TOUR and I got to see it along with other Godzilla fans.

I have written about Kinkaku-ji several times on this blog, but reading other people's thoughts about it are always welcome. Such is the case with a June 11 posting at Gaijinpot.com.

Their article covers the history of Kinkaku-ji, what to expect, extra fun items and how to get there.

The Gaijinpot article begins with:

The Temple of the Golden Pavilion in all its majesty is something you must see with your own eyes to believe. Even seeing it in person feels almost unreal, as if you are just viewing a famous painting for the first time. But it is so much more than just art, it is a piece of history that now simply rests in this peaceful pond in Kyoto. 

Seeing a crowd of people flocking to a site in Japan is quite common, especially at famous sightseeing locations. As you travel the country you become used to this phenomenon, and come to expect it to occur when you’re at a famous place. Visiting Kinkaku-ji will feel very much the same, but what is to come at the end of the crowd is unlike any other sight in Japan.

When visiting Kyoto, Kinkaku-ji should be put on your "must see" list of things to visit.

To read the full article, go here.