Ginkaku-ji Temple, Kyoto

Ginkaku-ji Temple, Kyoto (must see)

You know you鈥檙e fancy when your retirement home becomes a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That鈥檚 exactly what happened to Yoshimasa, the eighth Ashikaga shogun, who picked this peaceful patch of Kyoto as his personal endgame鈥攁nd in the process, helped perfect the art of the Japanese tea ceremony. Welcome to Ginkaku-ji, a 15th-century Zen temple often nicknamed the 鈥淪ilver Pavilion.鈥� The twist is that it鈥檚 not actually silver. That glimmer you see is just moonlight flirting with its once-black lacquered walls鈥攏ature鈥檚 optical illusion at its finest...

But the sparkle doesn鈥檛 stop there. Often called the 'little sibling' of Kinkaku-ji (or Golden Pavilion), it boasts even more scenic and exquisite gardens. The real scene-stealer is the 1.75-acre dry sand garden鈥攁 flawlessly raked expanse meant to reflect moonlight like a silvery sea. At its heart stands a conical mound modeled after Mount Fuji, proof that Zen monks could outdo any landscaper with a rake and a dream.

Take the Moon-Viewing Platform, then follow the winding path through mossy gardens, over quaint bridges, past koi ponds and whispering streams. It'll lead you to a hilltop view that rolls out the entire temple complex鈥攁nd most of Kyoto, if you're lucky. The stone-and-bamboo walkway keeps things civilized, so even the uphill part feels like a meditative stroll.

Yes, it gets crowded. But thanks to the one-way route, you won鈥檛 be playing tourist bumper cars. Just zen out and go with the flow.

What you'll get in the end is garden perfection, bamboo vibes, and moonlit drama, not to mention a gift shop full of rabbit-themed treasures (that you didn鈥檛 even know you needed) and fan souvenirs not found anywhere else in Kyoto...

Pro tip: Hit it early or at golden hour. Kyoto sunsets are too pretty to miss...

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Kyoto. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Ginkaku-ji Temple
Sight Location: Kyoto, Japan (See walking tours in Kyoto)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walk on Philosopher's Path

Walking Tours in Kyoto, Japan

Create Your Own Walk in Kyoto

Creating your own self-guided walk in Kyoto is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Higashiyama Walking Tour

It'd be fair to say that Kyoto is a theme park for lovers of history, religion, and all things deeply, unmistakably Japanese. If so, Higashiyama Ward, with its long lines, can easily be recognized as its star attraction. Tucked along the city鈥檚 eastern edge鈥攈ence its poetic name translated as 鈥淓astern Mountain鈥濃€攖his district is where Kyoto flaunts its heritage like a geisha in full... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles

Gion District Walking Tour

Gion, one of Kyoto鈥檚 most captivating districts, is deeply rooted in Japan鈥檚 cultural heritage. Located in the Higashiyama (the so-called 鈥淓astern Mountain鈥�) neighborhood, its history dates back to the Sengoku period, when it began as a hospitality area for pilgrims visiting Yasaka Shrine. By the late 18th and early 19th centuries, it had evolved into a renowned entertainment quarter,... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles

Arashiyama and Bamboo Grove Walking Tour

The Arashiyama district of Kyoto is slightly out of the way for tourists, but that means you can enjoy it more comfortably.

Undoubtedly, the most popular attraction here is the iconic Bamboo Grove, a mesmerizing forest of towering bamboo stalks that sway gently in the breeze, creating an ethereal atmosphere. This serene setting is a must-visit for travelers seeking tranquility amidst... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles

Kyoto Shopping and Food Tour

The cultural capital of Japan, Kyoto is just as famous as a shopper鈥檚 paradise and, without a doubt, the best place in the country to buy traditional and modern Japanese goods. Souvenirs, food, bargains, and various 鈥渙ne-of-a-kind items鈥� are all up for grabs here.

In addition to its shopping scene, Kyoto boasts a rich culinary heritage, from Michelin-starred restaurants to humble street... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles

Walk on Philosopher's Path

Looking for a scenic walk with a side of existential pondering in Kyoto, you're inevitably bound to end up on the Philosopher鈥檚 Path. Winding its way for about two kilometers along the leafy canal that carries water from Lake Biwa to the foothills, this picturesque walking trail once served as the thinking route of Nishida Kitaro. Back in the first half of the 20th century, the famed... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles

Imperial Kyoto Walking Tour

Kyoto served as Japan鈥檚 imperial capital for over 1,000 years, from 794 to 1869, beginning with Emperor Kanmu鈥檚 relocation of his court to Heian-ky艒 (which is Kyoto鈥檚 former name). Though political power eventually shifted to the shogunate and later to Tokyo, Kyoto remained the cultural and symbolic heart of Japan. Its long association with the imperial court helped shape it into a refined... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles

View all walking tours in Kyoto, Japan

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

18 Japanese Products To Bring Home from Kyoto

The old capital of Japan, the city of Kyoto has once again been the talk of the world lately, thanks to the bestselling "Memoirs of a Geisha" book and the namesake Hollywood blockbuster movie. Renowned for its impeccable craftsmanship, Japan has so much to amaze a foreign eye with. Many of...