Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

The Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺, Golden Pavilion) is Kyoto's most iconic building — a three-story pavilion, the upper two floors of which are completely covered in real gold leaf and perfectly reflected in the tranquil pond in front of it. The image is world-famous and looks just as breathtaking in reality as it does in photos.

The history is dramatic: Originally built in 1397 as a retirement villa for the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the pavilion was burned down in 1950 by a deranged monk — an act that inspired the writer Yukio Mishima to write his novel "The Temple of the Golden Pavilion." The current reconstruction dates from 1955 and was restored with new gold leaf in 1987.

Each floor has a different architectural style: The first floor (Shinden-zukuri) in the style of Heian aristocracy, the second (Bukke-zukuri) in samurai style, the third (Karayō) in Chinese Zen style — topped with a golden phoenix. The surrounding garden is a masterpiece of Japanese landscape design: arranged rocks, pine islands, and the perfect composition of water, greenery, and gold.

In winter, when snow lies on the golden roof, it creates one of Japan's most magical images — Yukigeshiki (snow landscape). Autumn with red maple behind the golden pavilion is also spectacular.