JAPAN - Kyoto

Golden Pavillion - Kinkaku-Ji

The image of the temple richly adorned in gold leaf reflects beautifully in the water of Kyokochi, the mirror pond. It's perhaps the most widely-recognized image of Kyoto. Seen reflected in the adjoining "mirror pond" with its small islands of rock and pine, Kinkaku-ji Temple, "The Temple of the Golden Pavilion," is a breathtaking must-see.

The building's first purpose was to serve the retiring Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (14th century) as a residence. The gold-leaf-adorned building was converted into a Zen temple shortly after his death.