Kyoto, Kinkakuji
My 50th birthday day...
Kinkakuji, the gold covered building. Built originally about 800 years
ago by the powers that be for "Moon viewing". A beautifully landscaped setting. Built and guilded during
a period of famine in the local area, making it even more a symbol of royal excess. The location became a shrine shortly after.
Burned to the ground about 50 years ago by a deranged monk, the building was rebuilt with
the guilding about five times thicker than the original.
A very striking visual. The location is perfect.
Of course as a shrine, you can get your "fortune" on a paper from these 2 old
vending machines, and if you don't like the fortune there's the handy "Fortune dust can" provided...
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