Higashiyama Jishoji Temple, well known as Ginkakuji Temple, is a temple of the Shokokuji school of the Rinzai sect in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture.
Ginkakuji Temple is also one of the cultural properties that constitute Kyoto’s World Heritage Site.
The name “Ginkakuji” may associate with images of a shiny silver temple, because the word “Gin” means siver in Japanese. But contrary to the name, the temple is austere looking.
However, the combination of the silver pavilion and the circular garden is very atmospheric and attracts many tourists from home and abroad as a popular tourist spot.
About Ginkakuji Temple
Ginkakuji Temple is an affiliate temple of Shokokuji Temple, which is same as Kinkakuji Temple.
Ginkakuji Temple has its roots in a villa built more than 500 years ago in 1482 by Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the eighth shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, and became a temple of the Rinzai sect after his death.
There are various theories as to why the temple was called “Ginkakuji,” but there is no evidence that it was covered with silver leaf, and it is generally believed that it was called “Ginkakuji” in contrast to Kinkakuji Temple, which was covered with gold leaf.
Highlight
Ginsyadan and Kogetsudai
Kannonden Ginkaku is the representative building of Ginkakuji Temple and is designated as a National Treasure.
Kannonden Ginkaku follows the design of the Golden Pavilion at Kinkakuji Temple and the Ruriden at Saihoji Temple.
The grounds are a circular garden with a white sand ripple pattern called “Ginsyadan” and a white sand structure called “Kogetsudai”.
In addition, there is Togudo, which is designated as a national treasure as well as Kannonden Ginkaku, and an observatory from which visitors can climb up the garden to view the city of Kyoto.
View from the observatory
INFORMATION
NAME
Ginkakuji Temple (銀閣寺)
BUSINESS DAY
Every day
ADMISSION
Adults(High school students and older): 500yen, Middle and Elementary school students: 300yen
ADDRESS
2 Ginkakujicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto 606-8402
ACCESS
9-minute walk from Ginkakuji-michi bus stop.
STATION INFO
Ginkakuji-michi (bus stop)
Kyoto City Bus
LINK