Higashiyama Jisho-ji — Attraction in Kyoto

Higashiyama Jisho-ji, commonly known as the Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion), is a Zen temple located in the eastern part of Kyoto, Japan. It is one of the city’s most iconic temples and is celebrated for its minimalist design, serene atmosphere, and its role in shaping Japanese cultural and aesthetic traditions. Despite being referred to as the “Silver Pavilion,” the structure was never covered in silver, as its name suggests.

History and Background

• Origins: Ginkaku-ji was originally built in 1482 as a retirement villa for Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the 8th shogun of the Ashikaga Shogunate during the Muromachi Period. Yoshimasa, a patron of the arts, intended to model the pavilion after the famous Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) built by his grandfather. However, due to ongoing financial issues and political instability during the Ōnin War, the villa was never plated with silver as initially planned. • Conversion to a Temple: After Yoshimasa’s death in 1490, the villa was converted into a Zen temple following his wishes and became part of the Shōkoku-ji school of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. The temple’s official name, Jishō-ji, is derived from Yoshimasa’s Buddhist name, “Jishō-in.” • Cultural Influence: Ginkaku-ji became a center for Higashiyama culture, an influential cultural movement during the late 15th century that emphasized simplicity, refined aesthetics, and the appreciation of art. This period saw the development of traditional Japanese arts such as the tea ceremony, flower arrangement (ikebana), Noh theater, and sumi-e (ink painting), many of which were closely associated with Zen Buddhism.

Architecture and Design

• Main Hall (Kannon-den): The Silver Pavilion, officially called the Kannon-den (Hall of the Bodhisattva Kannon), is a two-story wooden structure designed in a simple and elegant style. The first floor, called the Shinku-den, is constructed in the shinden-zukuri style, reminiscent of Heian-period aristocratic architecture. The second floor is in the butsuden-zukuri style, resembling a Zen temple. The pavilion was meant to be covered in silver leaf to reflect the moonlight, but this never happened. Despite this, its unadorned, weathered appearance has come to symbolize the aesthetic ideal of wabi-sabi, or the beauty found in imperfection and simplicity. • Sand Garden (Ginshadan): One of Ginkaku-ji’s most famous features is its meticulously maintained karensansui (dry landscape garden). The Ginshadan, or “Sea of Silver Sand,” is a flat expanse of white sand that represents the ocean. It is complemented by the Kogetsudai, a large cone-shaped mound of sand that symbolizes Mount Fuji. The sand garden reflects the Zen philosophy of simplicity and serves as a space for contemplation. • Moss Garden: Surrounding the temple are tranquil moss gardens that add to the peaceful ambiance of Ginkaku-ji. The gardens are interspersed with ponds, small streams, and meticulously placed rocks, creating a natural yet artistically controlled environment. The combination of moss, water, and stone represents the harmony of nature, which is central to Japanese garden design. • Pathway and Viewing Areas: Visitors to Ginkaku-ji follow a winding pathway that takes them through the temple grounds, offering various perspectives of the Silver Pavilion, gardens, and the surrounding landscape. The pathway ascends a small hill, providing a panoramic view of the temple grounds and the city of Kyoto in...

Over the past 40 years of living and traveling to and from Japan, the nation has become the second destination I call home. A visit to the ancient capital of Kyoto is a must for any traveler interested in history, culture, arts, cuisine, music and so much more. Kyoto refreshes the soul and heightens awareness as you turn each and every corner. Ginkakuji or the Silver Pavilion is one of Japan's great treasures which lies at the end of a narrow pilgrimage pathway at the foot of the surrounding Kyoto mountains. Unlike its gilded 'cousin' Kinkakuji or Golden Pavilion, Ginkakuji is modest, rustic and quiet. But when you pass through the long corridors of hedges and bamboo, you enter a beautiful paradise complete with gardens, tea houses, temple buildings, mountain paths, and spectacular views of Kyoto. Spring Cherry Blossoms and Fall Foliage are of course the most popular, but I love Kyoto in winter when it is truly quiet to all the senses. Summer is extreme given the basin effect and the way heat is trapped by mountains on three sides of the city. But even in summer, the residents of Kyoto create wonderful ways to escape the heat and humidity, especially along the Kamogawa River and along other waterways throughout the ancient city. Don't forget to visit Omen for noodles, stroll the Philosopher's Walk, and learn about the magic of Japanese ceramics at the Robert Yellin Gallery which is just a few minutes walk from both Omen and the...

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...