Snow fell intermittently in Kyoto on Thursday, blanketing the famous golden pavilion at Kinkakuji for the first time this season.
The temperature in the city dropped to 1.5 C in the morning, around 1.8 C lower than an average year and equivalent to early January.
The bright contrast of white and gold prompted many visitors to take photos at the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.
The temple, formally known as Rokuonji, was built at the end of the 14th century originally as a villa for shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.
"The golden building appears even more beautiful against the white color of snow," said 14-year-old Takumi Mutaguchi, who was visiting the temple for the first time on a school trip.
