Honkokuji Temple in Kyoto

Temple of the golden dragon

Cathy Cawood Feb 11, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>An impressive golden dragon coils around a large stone lantern. Water spouts from his mouth into a basin below. I was told that if you wash money in the water, it will increase</p>

<p>This man was washing coins, but I saw other people washing 10,000 yen notes and even a Lotto ticket!</p>

<p>To reach Honkokuji Temple you must cross this bridge over Biwako Canal, a waterway carrying Kyoto's water supply from lake Biwa</p>

<p>Honkokuji has two gates. The first is painted red</p>

<p>Honkokuji's second gate has frightening guardians on either side of it. They used to be all gleaming gold, but last time I visited they had been painted</p>

<p>A gold lantern in the second gate</p>

<p>A statue of a serene-faced monk overlooks the temple grounds</p>

<p>Carved wooden 'elephant' under the temple eaves</p>

<p>I wonder what these beautiful doors conceal?</p>

<p>Cherry blossom beside the bridge in springtime</p>

Nestled between the Eastern hills of Kyoto and Biwako Canal is a temple named Honkokuji. It is not large or famous, it is never busy, nor is it very old. The first time I visited, almost ten years ago, there was so much gold - the gate guardians, roof decorations, lanterns, the bell, a small tori and a fabulous dragon. It seemed very flashy and unusual. (Recently they toned things down, and only the dragon is still gold.) For some reason Honkokuji appeals to me, and I have visited it in every season, and taken many photos. I love crossing the red bridge, and rounding the curve in the road to catch the first glimpse of the red gate. I like atmosphere of the place, and I really love the gold dragon!

Cathy Cawood @cathy.cawood

I came to Japan in 2003 to teach English. I lived in Shiga prefecture for 1 year, and it still holds a special place in my heart. I lived in Kyoto for 9 years, then moved to Machida, Tokyo in 2014 after meeting my Japanese partner. I love to take photos, and my Japan in Pictures Facebook page ha...