The Zen temples of Kinkakuji (金閣寺) and Ryoanji (龍安寺) in Kyoto, Japan

*WS 98: the Zen temples of Kinkakuji (金閣寺) and Ryoanji (龍安寺) in Kyoto, Japan*

These 2 are famous temples in north-west Kyoto located slightly over 1 km apart, and both are UNESCO World Heritage sites. We were here in 2018. 

Kinkakuji is a famous Zen temple whose top two floors are covered in gold leaf. The site was originally the retirement home of a shogan and was converted into a Zen temple in 1408 after his death. Kinkakuji was built to echo the extravagant culture that developed in the wealthy aristocratic circles of Kyoto during that time. Each floor represents a different style of architecture. It has been burned down many times. The present one was built in 1955. The temple building is not open to the public but the big garden is. First 4 photos. 

Ryoanji Temple is the site of Japan's most famous rock garden. The temple was originally an aristocrat's villa and was converted into a Zen temple in 1450. The temple served as a mausoleum for seven emperors. The famous rock garden consists of a rectangular plot (25 m by 10 m) of pebbles surrounded by low earthen walls, with 15 rocks laid out in 5 small groups on patches of moss. An interesting feature of the garden's design is that from any vantage point at least one of the rocks is always hidden from the viewer. Both the origin and the meaning of the rock garden are unclear. It has a very big garden too. Last 4 photos.