Kinkakuji, The Golden Pavilion

[KyushuCalanthe]

I just got back from Kyoto. What a place that is....I took nearly 500 pics. Here's the first dose.

You may have heard of the "Golden Pavilion", Kinkakuji. It was our first stop and just brimming with people even though these photos might make you think it was otherwise. If you want to know more about the history and so on, check out this Wikipedia link about Kinkakuji. Nope it ain't made of pure gold. Yup, that is real gold leaf though!

Pretty awesome place. Got many more pics....they will be released in waves.

 

[paphjoint]

Wonderful!!!

 

[TyroneGenade]

Were the cherry trees in flower?

 

[Ray]

I used to be a technical and sales manager for a business, with North-, Central-, South America, Japan and the PRC as my territory. On my first trip to Japan, my hosts took me to every shrine they could think of, and I have an almost identical shot to the first one in my collection!

 

[biothanasis]

Superb!!!! Can't wait for the next wave...

 

[tim]

did you take pix of the paulownia "discs" on the ends of all the roof rafters/fascia? That's my most endearing memory of Kinkakuji...such a beautiful place!!

 

[Hera]

I love Japanese architechture. Its so elegant and blends with the surroundings. Everything makes a statement.

 

[Drorchid]

Were the cherry trees in flower?

I doubt that he saw any cherry blossoms oke:. In the Northern Hemisphere spring is March to June and the Cherry tree usually flowers around April. Unlike you guys down in South Africa where it is spring right now, we are starting to be in the Fall aka Autumn season.

Years ago I went to South Africa, and I remember it was so strange to me, as it was spring in Europe, and down in South Africa the leaves were turning and it felt like Autumn.

Very pretty pictures by the way!

Robert

 

[emydura]

Beautiful pictures. Looks like paradise.

Thanks for posting.

David

 

[SlipperFan]

Japanese architecture is so beautiful and intriguing. And I love their water gardens.

 

[KyushuCalanthe]

Thanks for the comments everyone. It is a lovely temple for sure and one of the most famous in Japan since it is so singular in appearance and construction. That's saying a lot considering how many fantastic temples there are in Kyoto alone!

Tyrone, of course Robert is correct, no cherries this time of year usually - there always are a few errant blooms here and there. The fall however seems to be coming quick this year - many maples were showing some color already, a full month before peak season. I don't know if that is typical or unusual. Weather's been wacky this year.

Ray, that particular shot is the most famous one, so I felt obligated to take it.

Tim - so much to see, I missed the Paulownia detail - you could spend hours looking at the details of edifices, gardens, and on and on. It truly is overwhelming and amazing.

David - paradise...well, it was designed to look that way. In truth it is just a really wonderful group of buildings set in an amazing garden that is itself set in a large, modern Japanese city.

More pics to follow soon.

 

[JeanLux]

Impressive shots of a beautiful place!!!! Hope you got some shots of those pine trees (and others) of all those great japanese gardens!!! Jean

 

[NYEric]

Thanx for sharing.

 

[Heather]

That is just SO lovely! Thank you Tom!