Higashiyama Jisho-ji

Our favorite temple in Kyoto (and Japan, but we didn't see many temples outside of Kyoto). There weren't a lot of people, especially compared to some of the nearby shrines we saw, and the landscape was striking—with meandering hills and meticulously cared for pebble sculptures. A very peaceful place to walk slowly.

Chill experience compared to the Golden Pavillon. For those who don’t like crowded tourists area, you can come here to enjoy your zen time.

The commercial area are less people and chill. You can take a walk and stroll to the Ginkaku-ji. It’s a very zen style atmosphere (very quiet and less touristy) and the garden are incredible and beautiful. The stone and trees are arranged well. The garden size is not too big to walk too much. Yet you can hike a little to the top and see the whole view.

The toilet is also well built. You will feel refreshed after taking this trip.
The garden is more popular among local people.

The time we visited has no souvenir shop open. Great to not to have commercial things to fully enjoying the tranquility of Japanese style garden.

We visit at noon on the weekend in Feb. great weather and view.

A famous pagoda with impressive sandworks and very beautiful garden. Walking around the garden is a fantastic experience. In particular, the mossy areas and the small creeks and ponds compose such a relaxing environment.
There were some people queuing, however, due to our guide we could pass by. Likely it would have been a wait of up to 30min.

The pavilion itself was nice. Not the fanciest or most striking that I have seen, but it's appeal is enhanced by its own reflection over the nearby pond. The best thing about this temple (in my opinion) was the short walk behind the pavilion. It takes you through a very tranquil moss garden and near waterfalls and streams.

The silver pavilion, which is actually more white and brown, might be what this Buddhist temple is known for even though it's modest and understated. However, its simple yet precise design is set amongst trees, a pond, and a zen garden, making it a beautiful place to visit.

As you walk through the well-kept grounds, you can go up a bit higher and get a bit of a view over the temple and neighbouring area.

We arrived before opening time and soon, others gathered before the gates opened. It's not terribly crowded, thus not requiring a lot of lining up like other attractions, but there'll be tour groups using the same entrance.

Beautiful but small area with temple (Silver Pavilion) and Zen garden in Kyoto. Nice streets with foods and souvenirs on the outside. Not so busy, easy to buy tickets outside the temple.

This temple may not be as famous or flashy as the Golden Kinkakuji, but it has unique simple and zen style of building and landscape that will inspire you as well. Enjoy the walk up hill and appreciate how nature and human culture intertwine.

Kinkakuji might be covered in gold, but Ginakakuji is covered with Wabi Sabi. This place was built by Ashikaga Yoshimasa (grandson of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, who built Kinkaluji) as a retirement villa in around 1490.

Although he was not a good leader and made many poor political decisions, which ultimately led to Onin war that ended the reign of his family. But his sole interest in Art has propeled "Higashiyama culture" that set standard for many important Japanese art that we see today (tea ceremony, ikebana, Noh, garden).

To fully appreciate this place, you might need to have some knowledge of its history, concept, and features. Because it is built on the concept of Wabi-Sabi. Unlike Frence Garden and Palace, which meant show off power / authority and command over nature, this place was designed to be one with nature / to appreciate simplicity and aesthetic of beauty in imperfection. Or otherwise it may seem underwhelm to viewer.

The main purpose of the pavilion was for moon viewing. It is said that during the full moon, the moonlight would reflex against the silver sea (the stone garden) and the pond and redirect the light toward the pavilion. The pavilion then would lit up in a silvery hue, hence the name of the silver pavilion.

It took us around 1.15 hours to leisurely walk around the place with occationally stop for photoes. You could do less or more depending on how long you want to enjoy the place.

Higashiyama Jisho-ji, commonly known as Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) was constructed in 1482 by a shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa to serve as his retirement villa. It was modeled after Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), his grandfather's retirement villa. After Yoshimasa's death in 1490, the villa was converted into a Zen temple.
Nowadays there are just 3 buildings in the complex: Silver Pavilion, the Hondo (main hall) and Togudo. None of them is open to the public.
Despite its name, the Silver Pavilion was never covered in silver. Its two stories are constructed in two different architecture styles. The first floor is built in the traditional Japanese residential style and the second floor deisplays Chinese temple architecture. On the top of the roof there is a bronze phoenix.
Other attractions of the temple complex include:
- meticulously maintained sand garden, known as the "Sea of Silver Sand", with a massive sand cone named "Moon Viewing Platform";
- moss garden, with ponds, islands, bridges, little streams and various plants;
- scenic viewpoint to enjoy the nice views of the temple grounds and the city beyond.
In 1994 Ginkakuji was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is really lovely place, worth visiting.
The temple is open from 08:30 to 17:00. The Entrance fee is 500 ¥/pax.

For some, the poor relation of the golden temple, but for my money this wins hands down. Not showy, but subtle. Its moss garden is sublime, and the best Japanese garden I have seen. Its sand garden is surprising. A real air of peace and calm.

Ginkaku-ji or the Silver Pavilion is in my oponion a much nicer place to visit than Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion. Not because of the temple iteself but because of the stunning garden that can be found at Ginkaku-ji and because it isn't as crowded as Kinkaku-ji. You can stroll through the beautiful garden and when you climb the small hill you have a great view over Kyoto. Worthwile the visit!

Ginkakuji has to be one of the temples that the Japanese love more than the tourists because it lacks the pizazz of Kinkakuji and the view of Kiyomizudera.

But it is more zen than most of the famous destinations in Kyoto.

A great place to visit in autumn.
Also nearby the daimonji (Kanji letter 大 on the mountain) and the philosopher's path

What a truly gorgeous place and is a must visit on your Kyoto itinerary. Breathtaking gardens that are so well-maintained and it really feels like your 500 yen entrance fee is being paid for the immaculate up keeping of the place. One of our entire Japan highlights!

One of the classics, and well worth the time if you are exploring Philosopher’s Walk. The Kannon-den (Gingkakuji) is within - you can read about why it is called the Silver Pagoda (it’s not obvious)

Another famous attraction in Kyoto. This located corner of kyoto city. Less crowded compared to other main places.
Really nice for photos.

Amazingly beautiful gardens. Bonsai trees, moss, rocks, all in incredibly harmonious arrangements. We came in the morning, while it was quiet and were mesmerized.

The temple is a must-visit for only 500Y. (Stamps of Temple is available for an additional 300Y)
The visit takes about 30-40 minutes and is mainly about wandering is the beautiful temple zen garden, where you will get the chance to see many species, got a nice view of Kyoto, and get a view on different angle of the Silver Pavillon.

One of the temple that must be visited during your trip in Kyoto. Here, you can just go to this site by using the bus from the Kyoto JR Station. The entrance fee ticket is 500 yen, but you can enjoy the scenery inside. You can see the sea of sand and observe the scenery from the observatory deck. Be careful when you come especially during holiday, you need to line up a bit longer.

Not to be missed. The ‘get-away’ home of a shogun that was later converted to a zen temple. The gardens are divine. I’ve visited many times on trips to Kyoto. Plan to arrive at or before 9:00 or 9:30am to avoid crowds.

Beautiful garden and view. Collected my Goshuin stamp. Don’t need to spend more than an hour there.