Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavillion) is often associated with the similarly named Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). Kin means gold, and gin means silver. Like Kinkaku-ji, Ginkaku-ji was first the retirement villa of a shogun, later converted into a Buddhist temple.
Both have the focus of a beautiful pavilion beside a pond. The similarities stop there.
Ginkaku-Ji: Silver Doesn’t Mean Second Best
The so-called silver pavilion is not covered in silver. Perhaps as a result, Ginkaku-ji’s gold colored buildings and garden have a greater sense of cohesion.
Contents
Is It Worth Visiting?
Opening Hours
- March to November: 8:30-17:00 (8:30am – 5:00pm)
- December to February: 9:00-16:30 (9:00 am – 4:30pm)
Admission Fees
- Adults: 500 yen
- Junior high and elementary school students: 300 yen
How to Get There
To get to Ginkaku-ji from Kyoto-Station, take City bus 5, 17 or 100, a thirty-five to forty minute ride, getting off at Ginkakuji-mae (230 yen each way). The temple is a 5-minute walk away.
Insider’s Tip
Ginkaku-ji is the ending point of another famous Kyoto attraction, the Philosopher’s Walk (Path), named for a professor at Kyoto University who used it for daily meditation.
The 30-minute walk (longer if you explore the temples along the way) meanders along the banks of a canal lined with cherry trees and mossy temples and is especially popular during cherry blossom season.
There are some charming cafes and stores along this route. It is worthwhile combining a visit to Ginkaku-ji with the Philsopher’s Walk, especially in spring or summer.
To approach Ginkakuji via the Philosopher’s Walk, head to Nanzen-ji temple (also worth a visit), a 10-15 minute walk from City Bus-stop Nanzenji-Eikando-michi, served by bus number 5.
Top Attractions in Kyoto
 Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) |  Fushimi Inari Shrine |  Kiyomizudera Temple |
 Gion |  Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) |  Nijo Castle (Nijo-jo) |
Top Attractions in Arashiyama
 Monkey Park Iwatayama |  Okochi Sanso |
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