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Temple · Kyoto · Kansai

Ginkaku-ji

銀閣寺

Zen temple from the late 15th century with a garden of sand and stone featuring a pond, inspired by but never covered with silver like Kinkaku-ji.

Sunlight through clouds and view of Ginkaku-ji Temple from above, Kyoto, Japan
Sunlight through clouds and view of Ginkaku-ji Temple from above, Kyoto, Japan © Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Opening hours
Mon–Sun08:30–17:00
Holidays08:30–17:00
Admission
EveryoneFree
Links
Official websiteEnglish · Japanese
Access
2, Ginkakujicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto
〒 606-8402
How to get there
Nearest stationMototanaka Station
元田中
Eizan Main Line28 min walk from the station
Nearest bus stop銀閣寺前7 min walk from the bus stop

Ginkaku-ji, also known as the Temple of the Silver Pavilion, is a Zen Buddhist temple located in Kyoto, Japan. The temple was built in the late 15th century and was modeled after Kinkaku-ji, the Temple of the Golden Pavilion. However, unlike Kinkaku-ji, Ginkaku-ji's top two floors were never covered in silver leaf, thus the name "Ginkaku" (Silver pavilion) is figurative. The temple is set in a beautiful garden, known as the "Sea of Silver Sand", which features a large pond, a dry sand garden, and a variety of plant life. The temple's main hall, the Hojo, contains a statue of Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the temple's founder, as well as other important religious artifacts. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of Kyoto's most popular tourist attractions. Visitors can stroll through the temple's beautiful gardens, enjoy the serene atmosphere, and admire the unique architecture of the temple.

Getting There

Map: Getting to Ginkaku-ji. Legend: Eizan Main Line; Keihan Oto Line; Keihan Main Line; Shinkansen; Bus from Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae. Labelled stations: Kyoto, Osaka, Yamashina, Kizu, Shin-Osaka, Yase-Hieizanguchi, Yodoyabashi, Mototanaka, Demachiyanagi, Kyoto Shiyakusho-Mae, Sanjo.

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