Kyoto's most UNIQUE Temple - The Silver Pavilion 🌙 | Ginkakuji a Stunning Alternative to Kinkakuji

Tucked away in the foothills of Kyoto’s Higashiyama district, Ginkakuji, or the Silver Pavilion, is a place where time slows. Built in 1482 by Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the 8th Shogun of the Muromachi period, it was originally intended to be a retreat from the political turbulence of his time. Inspired by his grandfather’s Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion, Yoshimasa envisioned his own villa covered in silver leaf. That vision was never realized, but in its unfinished state, Ginkakuji became a masterpiece of wabi-sabi, the Japanese aesthetic that finds beauty in imperfection and simplicity.

Entering through the temple gates, the path is lined with tall hedges, guiding visitors into another world. The first sight is the Kannon-den, or Silver Pavilion, a two-story structure overlooking the gardens. Its lower level follows the understated shoin-zukuri style, a forerunner of traditional Japanese residential architecture, while the upper level is designed in the more ornate Zen temple style. Inside, a statue of Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Mercy, is enshrined, though the interior remains closed to the public.

In front of the pavilion lies the striking dry sand garden, Ginsadan, or the Sea of Silver Sand. Raked into precise wave patterns, it is said to capture the light of the moon, its pale grains shimmering in the night. Next to it stands the Kogetsudai, a perfectly shaped cone of sand resembling Mount Fuji. Whether it was built to reflect moonlight or to serve as a meditative focal point is unknown, but its presence adds to the temple’s air of quiet contemplation.

Beyond the sand garden, the path leads into the heart of Ginkakuji’s landscape, a moss-covered garden where soft green carpets spread under ancient pines and maples. A small stream meanders through, its water flowing over stones arranged with deliberate asymmetry, embodying the natural elegance of Zen garden design. At the center of it all is Kyokochi, the Mirror Pond, named for the way it reflects the sky and surrounding foliage. Small islands and carefully placed rocks create a miniature landscape within the still water, mirroring the aesthetics of the Muromachi period, when gardens were designed as living paintings.

The path ascends, leading to a hilltop viewpoint where Kyoto stretches out below. The rooftops of temples and traditional wooden homes blend into the modern skyline, a reminder of how history and progress coexist in this city. Standing here, it is easy to imagine Yoshimasa himself looking out over the landscape, lost in thought.

Descending from the hillside, the journey ends at the temple’s souvenir shop, where visitors browse shelves filled with Kyoto’s famous confections, matcha tea, and handcrafted goods. Just beyond Ginkakuji’s gates, the Philosopher’s Path begins, a narrow stone walkway following a tranquil canal. Lined with cherry trees that burst into color each spring, the path leads to other historic temples, making it the perfect place to continue the journey through Kyoto’s timeless beauty.

Ginkakuji was never covered in silver, but perhaps that was never its purpose. Instead, it reflects something less tangible—the changing light, the passage of time, and the quiet depth of Zen philosophy.

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🥚Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:28 Location
01:14 Kuri Zen Garden
01:59 The Silver Pavilion / Ginkakuji
02:36 Sea of Silver Sand / Ginsyadan
03:13 Main Hall / Hondo
03:56 Tea Room / Togudo
04:27 Mirror Pond / Kyōkochi
05:39 Moon Washing Spring / Sengetsusen
06:06 Mirror Pond / Kyōkochi
06:43 Moss Garden Pathway
07:51 Sosentei Ruins / Sosentaeiato
09:24 Overlook View / Tenbojo
09:48 Moss Garden Pathway
11:15 The Silver Pavilion / Ginkakuji
12:59 Souvenirs

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🥚Locations
⦁ Ginkakuji, Kyoto, Japan
東山慈照寺, 京都市, 日本

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🥚Tamago's Gear
⦁ DJI Osmo Pocket 3
⦁ Canon EOS D Mark II
⦁ Sony FDR-AX700

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🥚 Disclaimers
⦁ Prices are calculated on date of publishing.
⦁ Prices can vary based on the seasons.

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#japan #japantravel #kyoto #temple #buddhism #photography