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!
- 1 min read
Honkokuji Temple in Kyoto
Temple of the golden dragon
![Cathy Cawood Cathy Cawood](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/1713/240x240!/61d020bdef751f611f5e3c02.jpg)
By Cathy Cawood
Community writer
![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](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/8610-61757/1000/kyoto-honkokuji-temple-in-kyoto-61757.jpg)
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
![This man was washing coins, but I saw other people washing 10,000 yen notes and even a Lotto ticket!](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/8610-58441/1000/kyoto-honkokuji-temple-in-kyoto-58441.jpg)
This man was washing coins, but I saw other people washing 10,000 yen notes and even a Lotto ticket!
![To reach Honkokuji Temple you must cross this bridge over Biwako Canal, a waterway carrying Kyoto's water supply from lake Biwa](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/8610-61761/1000/kyoto-honkokuji-temple-in-kyoto-61761.jpg)
To reach Honkokuji Temple you must cross this bridge over Biwako Canal, a waterway carrying Kyoto's water supply from lake Biwa
![Honkokuji has two gates. The first is painted red](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/8610-61760/1000/kyoto-honkokuji-temple-in-kyoto-61760.jpg)
Honkokuji has two gates. The first is painted red
![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](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/8610-58436/1000/kyoto-honkokuji-temple-in-kyoto-58436.jpg)
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
![A gold lantern in the second gate](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/8610-61763/1000/kyoto-honkokuji-temple-in-kyoto-61763.jpg)
A gold lantern in the second gate
![Honkokuji on a snowy day](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/8610-61758/1000/kyoto-honkokuji-temple-in-kyoto-61758.jpg)
Honkokuji on a snowy day
![A statue of a serene-faced monk overlooks the temple grounds](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/8610-61759/1000/kyoto-honkokuji-temple-in-kyoto-61759.jpg)
A statue of a serene-faced monk overlooks the temple grounds
![Carved wooden 'elephant' under the temple eaves](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/8610-61764/1000/kyoto-honkokuji-temple-in-kyoto-61764.jpg)
Carved wooden 'elephant' under the temple eaves
![I wonder what these beautiful doors conceal?](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/8610-61765/1000/kyoto-honkokuji-temple-in-kyoto-61765.jpg)
I wonder what these beautiful doors conceal?
![Honkokuji's graceful bell tower](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/8610-61762/1000/kyoto-honkokuji-temple-in-kyoto-61762.jpg)
Honkokuji's graceful bell tower
![Cherry blossom beside the bridge in springtime](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/8610-61766/1000/kyoto-honkokuji-temple-in-kyoto-61766.jpg)
Cherry blossom beside the bridge in springtime
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