Ginkaku-ji
慈照寺（銀閣寺）
A mountain villa in Higashiyama built by Ashikaga Yoshimasa. Its simple Kannon Hall and white-sand 'Silver Sand Beach' and 'Moon-Viewing Platform' embody the aesthetics of wabi-sabi.
Ginkaku-ji was begun in 1482 by Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the eighth shogun of the Muromachi shogunate. The Kannon Hall (the Silver Pavilion) and the Tōgu-dō are both National Treasures. Despite its name, the Silver Pavilion was never covered in silver. Its rustic wood tones are a hallmark of Higashiyama culture. In the garden, the white sand raked into wave patterns, called the 'Silver Sand Beach', and the cone-shaped 'Moon-Viewing Platform' are highly distinctive. A path up the hillside offers views over the temple and the city of Kyoto. Admission is about 500 yen. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in winter). It is the northern starting point of the Philosopher's Path.
Opening hours
08:30–17:00 (Dec–Feb 09:00–16:30)
Nearby sights
- Philosopher's Path
- Eikando Zenrin-ji
- Nanzen-ji
- Heian Jingu
- Chion-in
- Shimogamo Shrine
- Yasaka Shrine
- Kodai-ji