Ginkakuji

Ginkakuji (慈照寺銀閣), also known as the Silver Pavilion, is a renowned Zen temple located in the Higashiyama ward of Kyoto, Japan. The temple was originally built in 1482 by shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa as a retirement villa and was later converted into a Zen temple after his death. It is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The temple complex includes several buildings, such as the Kannon-den (観音殿), the main hall housing a statue of Kannon Bodhisattva, and the Togudo (東求堂) hall, a National Treasure and an early example of Shoin-zukuri architecture. While initially intended to be covered in silver foil, the plan never came to fruition due to financial constraints and other reasons.

The temple’s beautiful gardens are a major attraction. The gardens feature several ponds, like the Kinkyo-chi pond, rock formations, and meticulously manicured trees and bushes. A unique feature of the garden is the Kogetsudai mound and Ginsadan sand garden, designed to reflect the moonlight. The moss garden is also highly admired for its serene beauty.

Getting there

From Kyoto Station to Ginkakuji:

Bus	Kyoto Station ↓ Bus Number 7 ↓ 30 minutes (17 stops) Ginkakuji-michi ↓ Walk about 9 minutes ↓ Ginkakuji (230 yen)
Walk	About 1 hour 38 minutes (6.8 km)

Details

Hours	March to November / 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM December to February / 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Admission	High school students and above: 500 yen Elementary school and junior high school students: 300 yen
Phone	+81 75-771-5725
Address	2 Ginkakujicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8402
Official Website	https://www.shokoku-ji.jp/ginkakuji/