Originally built as 15th-century shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa's retirement villa, Ginkakuji Temple stands as a testament to developing Higashiyama culture, of which the shogun was a patron. Admire the so-called Silver Pavilion's unfinished aspect, typical of the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, which emphasizes transience. The building has survived intact through earthquakes and fires that required the reconstruction of other structures on site. While you cannot enter the pavilion, circumnavigate the temple's grounds, including a moss garden and dry sand garden, to appreciate its careful layout. Ginkakuji Temple is just one of the many highlights you can arrange to see using our , custom trip planner Edition.
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Ginkakuji Temple reviews
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This beautiful temple probably is spectacular all year round, but when we visited it around this time last year, it was bursting with all the colors of fall, making it a sight straight out of a Manga.... more »
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This is a very nice moss and gravel landscape. It is not as famous kinkakuji, but in the top list of many guides. I really enjoyed strolling around this place. more »
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This place is absolutely magical. Most people only go to the golden pavilion and skip this one, but definitely don't! This is an absolutely beautiful place; the gardens are so peaceful and when we went in the late afternoon, the sun rays just made the place all the more magical. Note: Visited prior to Covid, so things may be different.
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This garden is by far the most beautiful Japanese garden I visited in my Japan Trip. The Japanese garden is very mesmerizing. The Japanese culture is indeed beautiful. This is known as Temple of Silver Pavilion. You can visit here by bus. I would suggest to buy the one - day unlimited pass for bus. It's very affordable and it will save you a lot of money. You also need to pay an entrance fee which is 500 yen. The fee is worth it because you will witness the beauty of nature. We visited during Autumn and I love the
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