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World Heritage Ginkakuji Temple
Gin means silver in Japanese. Maybe you imagined a silver temple, but this temple is not silver. By the way, Kinkakuji Temple is golden as the name suggests. Kin means gold in Japanese.
The formal name of Ginkakuji Temple is Jishoji Temple. It was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Ginkakuji Temple was built as a mountain villa by Yoshimasa Ashikaga, the 8th shogun of Muromachi Bakufu. The Kannon-den Hall came to be called Ginkakuji because it was built in reference to Kinkakuji Temple, built by the 3rd shogun Yoshimitsu Ashikaga. Yoshimasa passed away without seeing the completion of Ginkakuji Temple. After Yoshimasa’s death, it was named Jishoji Temple after Jisho-in which is the Buddhist name of Yoshimasa, and became a Zen temple to mourn his spirit.
A symbolic building of Higashiyama culture
Ginkakuji Temple is one of the sub-temples in Rinzai sect Shokokuji Temple, along with Kinkakuji Temple. Sokokuji Temple is a Zen temple built by Yoshimitsu Ashikaga.
The first floor is built the style of a study named Shinku-den, and the second floor is the Buddha Hall named Cho-on-kaku. A phoenix is displayed on the roof of Rokaku building (Rokaku indicates a multi-storied building). It is an attractive building that symbolizes Higashiyama culture with the dignity and grace appearance.
Hondo (Main hall) & Togudo Hall
This is the oldest study hall in Japan as a Buddhist temple, Originally Amida-do hall. It is a national treasure. There is a room for Buddha and a small study room.
Kogetsudai and Ginshadan
Kogetsudai is made by sand piled up in a cone shape. Ginshadan is white sand drawn in art. They are the symbol of Ginkakuji. It is said that Kogetsudai was made to see the moon rising in Higashiyama and Ginshadan was an art made to reflect the light of the moon.
Scenic Viewpoint
There is an observatory overlooking the precincts as you climb the small mountain in the back of the garden. You can overlook the cityscape of Kyoto. In the season when the trees are colored, you will be able to see the special scenery of Ginkakuji Temple.
Access
The bus is the most convenient way to get to Ginkakuji Temple. Take the Kyoto City Bus and get off at “Ginkakuji-michi”.
Click here for shops around Ginkakuji.
Click here for information of Honenin Temple.
Tetsugaku no Michi Street (philosopher’s Path)
It is a walking path along Lake Biwa Canal that runs from Ginkakuji Temple to Kumanonyakuoji-jinja Shrine. The name comes from the fact that philosophers took a walk as a place of thought. In 1986, it was selected as one of the “100 Best Roads in Japan”. In the evening from May to June, Genji fireflies fly around, you can see a Japanese tasteful sight. This is a popular place for citizens to relax and a popular place crowded with tourists, especially in spring and autumn.
