Ginkakuji
Religious spot
Ginkakuji, or the Silver Pavilion, is a beautiful Zen temple located in the eastern mountains of Kyoto. Originally, Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa built it as a retirement villa, but later it became a Buddhist temple after Yoshimasa's death. When you visit Ginkakuji, you can check out its amazing Japanese garden. It has an interesting dry sand garden with a massive sand cone that looks like Mount Fuji. There's also a moss-covered garden with a path that lets you enjoy peaceful views and carefully designed landscapes. But that's not all! Don't forget to climb up to the moon-viewing platform. From there, you'll get breathtaking views of the temple grounds and the surrounding mountains. As a must-see temple, Ginkakuji gives you a fascinating look at Kyoto's Zen traditions. Plus, it's close to the Philosopher’s Path, making it easy to continue exploring Kyoto’s beautiful temple buildings and gardens.
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Ginkakuji, Ginkakujicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 606-8402, Japan
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The best of Ginkakuji
Bucket-list experiences
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Kyoto Kimono and Yukata Rental at Kimono Miyabi Kyoto
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Kimono Rental Experience by Wakana Kimono in Kyoto
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Trouble-free transport
Randen Pass
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Kyoto car rentals | Rent a car for Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu Temple, Golden Temple Kyoto, Osaka International Airport
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Eizan Railway Ee Kippu 1-Day Pass
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Kyoto Private Car Rental with Driver
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Kyoto to Tokyo - Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Ticket
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All that's good & tasty
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Bic Camera Tourist Privilege Discount Coupon in Kyoto
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Why people love Ginkakuji
Jung ******
8 Dec
Staffs were very friendly and professional. They prepared our Kimono and Yukata semalessly without any issues.
Kai **********
8 Dec
Abit lengthy waiting time due to overwhelming bookings, but the yukata and kimono were nice and full set shirt to shoe and bag were provided.
余 **
8 Dec
Buying in klook in advance can save a lot of time. The ladies in the store are very polite and friendly, and the clothes are also very nice.
Leung ********************
8 Dec
I am very lucky to be able to participate this time by Charles Cheung Being the leader's one-day tour 🤣 very motivated and passionate 👏 to the group very considerate 😍 and concerned 🌷 problems, and can solve for us in real time 👍🏻 a very serious, and appropriate leader 👏 in I have participated so much The most most most in the one-day tour For a satisfied leader🌺 This trip is also very surprising☺️ Being able to encounter good weather🍁 The Jinguo Temple under the sun is really beautiful🏘️ The golden shining Jinguo Temple is right in front of you☺️ It's really beautiful 🤭Charles Cheung really a very Heart D good tour guide 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 It was a pleasure to meet a good leader 😁 Let us have an unforgettable and beautiful memory 😊 I want to think of this time in several years experience 🥰 grateful 🌸🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁
2+
Neha *****
8 Dec
To start with, both our hosts, Steven and Charles Are the sweetest and very helpful! They were very professional in creating a group in advance sharing maps, Best places to visit food to taste, etc for each location. even after the trip, they shared the best places to plan future trips in Japan. this is something I have never seen any other who is doing to make the stay so comfortable by sharing things. A big THANK YOU to both of you! the places were good, and I could enjoy the colours of fall. the time given at each location was very generous. I would definitely want to return to these places once again in future! Thank you for a wonderful day! 😇
2+
Klook User
8 Dec
Alex was a very nice and gentle person. He didn't only gave us a good tour, but he also gave us suggestions on everything we asked him about. Even though he is not Muslim himself, but he still respected our religion and gave us help finding food that fits our requirements.
Klook User
8 Dec
our guide Lily was very accommodating and answered all our inquiries. She was also able to give a concise but detailed history of the sites we visited. Definitely recommend!
Người dùng Klook
8 Dec
great, service quality ok, hairdressing is also great, can choose the quantity you like,,,,,,
1+
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FAQs about Ginkakuji
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What to know before visiting Ginkakuji
What to know before visiting Ginkakuji
Things to do at Ginkaku-ji Temple
Explore the Main Temple Building
Explore the Main Temple Building at Ginkakuji, also called the Silver Pavilion. Even though it was never covered in silver like planned, its beauty comes from its simple and elegant design. As you walk through, you'll feel like you've traveled back in time to when Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa lived, who built the temple as a place to retire.
Walk around the Temple Grounds and Gardens
The temple grounds at Ginkakuji are famous for their amazing Japanese gardens. Follow the circular route and make sure to stop by the big sand cone and dry sand garden, which stands for Mount Fuji and the sea. This peaceful place shows off Zen Buddhism and the Higashiyama culture.
Experience a Tea Ceremony
Join a traditional tea ceremony at Ginkakuji to get a true taste of Zen Buddhist customs. This activity lets you enjoy matcha tea in a quiet setting surrounded by beautiful gardens. It's a great way to learn more about Japanese traditions.
Learn the Art of Flower Arrangement
Ginkakuji is a fantastic place to learn about flower arranging, which is an important part of the Higashiyama culture. The temple sometimes offers classes and shows how to do this delicate art.
Go to the Philosopher's Path
After you're done at Ginkakuji, take a relaxing walk along the Philosopher's Path. This lovely path, lined with cherry blossoms, is perfect for soaking up Kyoto's natural beauty. You can also stop by the cute cafes and shops along the way for a nice afternoon break.