What other travelers are saying about Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
It is definitely worth a visit and great to walk through the garden to soak in the sights. As it is a quite popular destination you may find that visiting quite early or quite late give you a more relaxed experience. An added benefit can be the different lighting, especially just before closing for the day. The walking path is fenced and clearly marked, so you can just follow the full path or choose a shorter path if so desired. The philosophers path is nearby, which can be combined into a single trip.
Only 500 yen to enter with options for a private guided viewing of original painted doors for 2,000 yen. The garden is immaculate. Read about the history and savor the views from the look out point. Go early or later in the day to avoid massive crowding.
Adult entry fee 500 yen. Once you get in, you can pay additional 2000 to enter some of the buildings. However, the Japanese garden view with ponds and hills are impressive enough. There are lots of Japanese maple trees in the garden and some of them only just about to turn yellow. Should be quite a treat in a few weeks' time when the weather gets colder and the trees turned red. Too bad that I won't be in Japan by then.
Ginkakuji Temple, or the Silver Pavilion, is a beautiful example of Japanese wabi-sabi aesthetics. The temple’s understated elegance and the surrounding gardens make it a truly peaceful place to visit. The sand garden, with its meticulously crafted cone and raked patterns, is especially unique and serene.
A stroll along the moss-covered paths reveals lovely views of Kyoto and perfectly framed scenery at every turn. Visiting in autumn, with vibrant foliage, or in spring, with blooming flowers, adds an extra layer of beauty. A must-visit for anyone looking to experience the refined simplicity of Japanese Zen gardens.
Beautiful temple and garden grounds with bamboo, manicured paths, streams, etc. 500 yen for entrance. It's a little crowded but not as bad as many other tourist spots around Kyoto. Well worth seeing. A little ways away from the very busy Gion district but only 20 minutes or so by bus.
