Ginkaku-ji — the Silver Pavilion, formally Jisho-ji — is the quieter counterpart to Kinkaku-ji: a wooden two-storey pavilion that was never actually silvered, famous for its raked white sand garden, the “Sea of Silver Sand” and the “Moon-Viewing Platform”. From its gate, the Philosopher’s Path follows a canal 2 km south, lined with cherry trees, to Nanzen-ji, stringing together the temples of eastern Kyoto in one walk. This guide covers tickets, hours, access and the walk.
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Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Admission | ¥500 adults, ¥300 elementary/junior-high students |
| Hours | March–November 8:30–17:00; December–February 9:00–16:30 |
| Closed | Never |
| Time needed | 45 min for Ginkaku-ji; 2.5–3 h including the path to Nanzen-ji |
| Address | 2 Ginkakuji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto |
| Official site | shokoku-ji.jp |
How to get to Ginkaku-ji
- City Bus 5 or 17 from Kyoto Station stops A1/A2 to Ginkakuji-michi, about 40 minutes, ¥230, then a 10-minute walk.
- City Bus 100 (Raku Bus) from Kyoto Station via Kiyomizu-dera and Gion to Ginkakuji-mae. A tourist route, so crowded.
- City Bus 203 or 204 from the Kinkaku-ji side to Ginkakuji-michi via Kitaoji-dori, about 40 minutes.
- Coming from the south: Subway Tozai Line to Keage Station, then walk Nanzen-ji → Philosopher’s Path north to Ginkaku-ji (the reverse route).
What to see at Ginkaku-ji
- The hedge-lined approach — tall clipped hedges from the gate.
- Ginshadan and Kogetsudai — the raked sand “sea” and the cone-shaped mound, said to reflect moonlight.
- Kannon-den (the Silver Pavilion) — two storeys; not open inside.
- Togu-do — National Treasure, the prototype of the shoin study room.
- The hillside lookout — through the moss garden and up a short path for the view over the pavilion and the city. This is the best photo position.
The Philosopher’s Path south: a 2.5-hour walk
- 9:00 Ginkaku-ji (45 min)
- 9:50 Philosopher’s Path south along the canal, 2 km, with cafés and craft shops
- 10:20 Honen-in — free; a moss-covered thatched gate and two white sand mounds
- 10:50 Anraku-ji and Reikan-ji — open only for spring and autumn special viewings
- 11:20 Eikan-do — the autumn-leaf temple (¥600 normally, ¥1,000 in leaf season); home of the “looking-back Amida” statue
- 12:00 Nanzen-ji — grounds free; Sanmon gate ¥500, Hojo garden ¥600; the brick Suirokaku aqueduct
- 12:45 Yudofu lunch by the Nanzen-ji gate, or Keage subway to Gion or Nijo Castle
Seasons and crowds
- Cherry blossom (early April): the path’s cherry tunnel is the main event. Before 8:00 it is quiet.
- Autumn leaves (mid-November to early December): Eikan-do and Nanzen-ji are the crowded ones; Eikan-do’s night illumination has a long queue.
- Summer: fireflies along the canal in early June; little shade by day.
- Weekday mornings are calm all year.
Tips
- Bicycles are allowed on the path, but walk them in busy seasons.
- Cafés cluster around the middle of the path and near Nanzen-ji.
- Souvenir shops line the approach from the Ginkakuji-michi bus stop — see what to buy in Kyoto.
- The Suirokaku aqueduct at Nanzen-ji still carries water from Lake Biwa.
[Affiliate slot: Higashiyama walking tour, kimono rental — Klook / KKday]
Nearby
- Gion — subway from Keage plus a walk, about 20 minutes
- Kiyomizu-dera — bus 100, about 20 minutes
- Heian Shrine — 15 minutes on foot from Nanzen-ji
See also 15 things to do in Kyoto and the 3-day Kyoto itinerary.
Official information: Ginkaku-ji (Shokoku-ji) · Nanzen-ji · Eikan-do · Google Maps
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