Temple with a cone-shaped sand garden and a dark wooden pavilion facing the Ginshanada sea of sand; admission ~500 ¥.
Ginkaku-ji, or the Silver Pavilion, is one of the most refined jewels of Kyoto. Built in 1474 by the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa as a personal retreat, the plan to cover it in silver —emulating the Golden Pavilion of his grandfather— was never carried out. Paradoxically, the dark, aged wood of the pavilion gives it a more intimate and contemplative beauty. The garden is the real star: the "Sea of Silver Sand" stands out, a perfect cone of raked sand called Kogetsudai, and an impeccable moss garden with ponds and streams. A World Heritage Site since 1994. It opens from March to November from 8:30 to 17:00, and from December to February from 9:00 to 16:30; admission costs 500 ¥. To get there, take bus 5 or 100 to Ginkakuji-mae. The Silver Pavilion is the ideal starting or finishing point of the Philosopher's Path, which connects this temple with Nanzen-ji along 2 km of tree-lined walk.
