The Silver Pavilion
The Ginkakuji Temple was originally a vacation home for Shogun Yoshimasa Ashikaga (1436–1490). After his death, it became a Rinzai Buddhist temple. The temple’s architecture and garden represent the Higashiyama culture. Yoshimasa spent his life trying to express his aesthetic sensibilities, creating a grand villa that reflected the beauty of simplicity which is the essence of Higashiyama culture.
Ginkakuji Temple and Daimonji Mountain
Ginkakuji is located at the foot of Mt. Daimonji. After the death of his son, Yoshihisa, Yoshimasa ordered to make fire pits in the shape of 大 (Daimonji) at the top of the mountain and light up the fire on the religious holiday to mourn his son’s death. This practice is the beginning of today’s Gozan no okuribi (The Send-off Bonfires of Five Mountains) on August 16. If you like hiking, Mt. Daimonji is 465 m high, and it probably takes about 30 min to 1 hour to climb the mountain. You can enjoy the view of Kyoto city and the fire pits.
Above images are provided by https://photo53.com/
ADDRESS
2 Ginakuji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8402 Japan
Official website: https://www.shokoku-ji.jp/en/ginkakuji/
Access
By bus
City Bus: Get off at Ginkakuji-michi No.5 No.7 No.32 No.102 No.203 No.204
City Bus:Get off at Ginkakuji-mae
No.EX100 No.105
Surrounding Area
The Philosopher’s Path is a few minutes away from Ginkakuji. There are many points of interest along the Philosopher’s Path. Please take a look at my Sample Walking Plan in Kyoto section of my website.
Mt. Daimonji and the Philosopher’s Path.
Dining Near Ginkakuji
Restaurants
$$ Kanidoraku （かに道楽）is a Japanese restaurant that specializes in crab dishes. Kani-Suki is my favorite dish. The restaurant is open year-round, but winter is the best time to enjoy crab.
$-$$ Katukura (かつくら) is a Japanese cutlet restaurant. It’s a good place to eat when you’re hungry because it has a wide variety of cutlet dishes, and rice, miso soup, and cabbage salad refills are free with a set menu order.
Ramen Noodle Shops
$ Masutani (ますたに) is a well-known ramen shop. It’s affordable and delicious. The soup is made with various vegetables, chicken broth, and pork fat.
Tea Break
Plek is a small café located next to the Masutani Noodle Shop. It seats about three people. You can also order food to go. Everything tastes great, but I especially like the Victoria cake. Since it’s a privately run shop, you need to check the opening hours on the website.
Japanese sweets
Kogetu (鼓月) is a Japanese confectionery store near Ginkakuji. Try Senju-Senbei Cookie, Hana Manjyu, or any other sweets. They are take-out only.
