Hiunkaku: One of the three towers in Kyoto
In Kyoto, there are three famous kaku (閣, literally, magnificent towers). Of these, Kinkaku (金閣, Gold Tower) and Ginkaku (銀閣, Silver Tower) are the most famous, and anyone who has visited Kyoto has probably seen them at least once. They are also called Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji with “ji” (寺, temple).
Both Kinkaku and Ginkaku are buildings from the Muromachi period (1336–1573). In Japan, kaku generally refers to a luxurious two-story building, while Kinkaku is a three-story structure.
Ginkaku was originally planned to have silver leaf on the exterior walls, but this did not happen due to budget constraints. Hence, it became Ginkaku (silver tower) in name only.
So what are the remaining kaku other than Kinkaku and Ginkaku? It is the Hiunkaku (飛雲閣) at Nishi Honganji Temple.
Nishi Honganji Temple is a 20-minute walk from Kyoto Station, and Hiunkaku is located in the southeast corner of the temple, but is usually closed to the public. I used to live in Kyoto for 18…
