Kinkaku-ji is so beautiful it looks like it has a filter on, but it’s a real historic landmark!
It was originally the luxurious residence “Kitayama-dono” of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the third shogun of the Muromachi shogunate, and was later converted into a temple. Its official name is actually Rokuon-ji. The name most people know, “Kinkaku-ji,” comes from the glittering gold-leaf reliquary hall.
Once you enter the grounds, the sight of the Golden Pavilion reflected on Kyoko-chi Pond is so stunning you can’t help but keep taking photos. No wonder almost everyone visiting Kyoto puts this place on their must-see list!
Kinkaku-ji | Review by 王小鈞
Other Reviews by 王小鈞
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Blue Wing Moji
Spanning approximately 108 meters, it is one of the largest pedestrian bascule bridges in Japan. The bridge crosses the First Boat Basin of Mojiko Port and opens and closes six times a day to allow ships to pass. Watching the bridge rise dramatically to a 60-degree angle above the water is a sight not to be missed.
If you visit Mojiko Port, be sure to check out Blue Wing Moji.
This 108-meter-long blue bridge is Japan's only pedestrian-only drawbridge, and it opens six times a day to let boats pass. Watching the bridge slowly rise to about 60 degrees as boats pass through is truly unique and makes you want to keep taking photos!
From the bridge, you can also see the impressive Kanmon Bridge in the distance and enjoy the sea breeze and views of the Kanmon Strait. The scenery is every bit as beautiful as the popular attractions. If you're lucky, you may catch the moment the bridge opens, which is truly breathtaking!
When visiting Mojiko Port, don't forget to check the bridge opening times in advance. This unique sight can only be seen here and is definitely worth stopping to enjoy. -
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JR Mojiko Station
JR Mojiko Station, facing the Kanmon Straits in Moji, is the starting point of the JR Kagoshima Main Line. The wooden two-story station building, designed in a Neo-Renaissance style, is characterized by a symmetrical exterior said to represent a "gate," and it has been beloved as a landmark of Moji Port for many years.
Mojiko Station was one of my favorite stations on this trip to Kyushu.
The entire wooden building has a retro feel, and stepping inside is like going back a hundred years. What stands out most is its symmetrical design, which is said to be based on the concept of a “gate.” It’s simple but distinctive.
Even though it’s just a station, I couldn’t help stopping to take more photos and look around every corner. Together with the nostalgic streets of Mojiko Port, it really has the atmosphere of an old Japanese port town.
If, like me, you enjoy old buildings and traveling at a leisurely pace, Mojiko Station is sure to leave a lasting impression. -
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Kanmon Straits
Located at the westernmost end of Honshu, separating Yamaguchi Prefecture's Shimonoseki City and Fukuoka Prefecture's Kitakyushu City, it's said to have formed about 6,000 years ago. The name "Kanmon Straits" is derived from the initials of Shimonoseki, historically known as Makan, and Moji, a district in Kitakyushu City.
The Kanmon Straits Tunnel was more interesting than I expected!
I thought it would just be a walk through a tunnel, but I didn't expect to be able to walk from Honshu to Kyushu. It was a truly special experience. The route is a little over 700 meters long and takes about 15 minutes to complete. It's flat and easy to walk, like taking a stroll under the sea.
The one thing you shouldn't miss is the marker at the border between Yamaguchi and Fukuoka Prefectures. Standing in the middle with one foot in Honshu and the other in Kyushu, many people take photos here as a souvenir.
No boat or car needed—just a short walk lets you cross between two islands and two prefectures. I highly recommend experiencing this unique Kanmon Straits walk for yourself and making a different kind of travel memory. -
