Ginkaku-ji – Autumn Maples around the Silver Pavilion and the Sea of Silver Sand

Ginkaku-ji began as the Higashiyama villa that Ashikaga Yoshimasa started building in 1482. The Tōgu-dō hall was completed in 1486 and the framework of the Kannon-den (the Silver Pavilion) was raised in 1489, but Yoshimasa died the following year without seeing it finished. In accordance with his wishes the villa became a Zen temple, with Musō Kokushi as honorary founder, named first Jishō-in after Yoshimasa's posthumous name and later Jishō-ji. It is a sub-temple of Shōkoku-ji.

Through the main gate and along an approach between tall hedges, you come upon the Kannon-den, the Ginshadan (white sand raked into waves) and the cone-shaped Kōgetsudai. The restrained aesthetics of Higashiyama culture are felt in every corner.

The garden is a stroll garden around a pond; as you follow the route, the pond, moss and maples seen past the buildings change little by little. Later the path climbs the hillside, with views over the grounds and the city.

The leaves usually peak from mid to late November. It is a popular temple, so visit early for a calm view of the garden. From the gate, walk south along the Philosopher's Path past Hōnen-in and Eikan-dō to the Nanzen-ji area. In autumn 2026 (1 November – 5 December) a guided special viewing of the normally closed main hall, Tōgu-dō and Rōsei-tei is also held.