Photo 02
Kyoto was Japan's capital and the emperor's residence from 794 until 1868. Now it is the country's seventh largest city. Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) is a Zen temple formally known as Rokuonji. Construction started on the Golden Pavilion in 1397 as part of a new residence for the retired shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and was later converted into a Zen temple. The Golden Pavilion functions as shariden, housing sacred relics of the Buddha, and is covered in gold leaf.