Ginkakuji Temple

Ginkakuji Temple　(Silver Pavilion) 銀閣寺

Overview

Ginkakuji Temple

Ginkakuji Temple, the Silver Pavilion, is perhaps the epitome of understated elegance, of wabi sabi.

Ginkakuji is a Zen temple in eastern Kyoto, at the northern end of Philosophers Walk. It represents the pinnacle of the Higashiyama Culture of the Muromachi period. Ashikaga Yoshimasa first began plans for this temple in 1460.

It is today affiliated with the Shokoku-ji branch of Rinzai Zen and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The main temple structure is the Kannon Hall. Construction began on February 21, 1482, and was based on the Golden Pavilion.

The original plans called for the exterior of the main building to be covered in silver foil - hence the "Silver Pavilion" moniker. Though this never came to be, the nickname stuck.

The temple grounds abut the eastern hills of Kyoto and are wooded. In addition, there is a Japanese garden, in the middle of which is a lovely sand garden whose neatly tended pile is said to symbolize Mount Fuji.

The temple was renovated in 2008.

For those riding to the temple, parking is not a problem close to the entrance gate. However, during peak times - spring and fall - it is wise to leave the bike farther away from the main gate and walk the last section of the narrow street leading to the temple.

Relevant Routes

Ginkakuji Temple is on the Philosophers Walk Route. 

Address

2 Ginkaku-cho Sakyo-ku Kyoto
Tel: 075 771 5725

Hours

8:30 to 17:00 (9:00 to 16:30 from December to February)

Map

Ginkakuji Temple Map

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