The Golden Pavilion at Kinkaku-ji represents different architectural styles: shinden on the first floor, samurai, and zen on the third level. The temple’s gold leaf protected with lacquer is radiant in the sunshine. Inside are Buddha relics qualifying it as a shariden. The original of this magnificent structure was destroyed by arson in 1950 at the hands of Hayashi Yoken, a mentally ill monk. This replica was built in 1955. The Golden Pavilion is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
