Ginkaku-ji, Buddhist temple with gardens in Sakyō-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Ginkaku-ji is a temple with gardens in Sakyō-ku, Kyoto, Japan, that features a two-story hall with dark wooden exteriors. The complex extends across moss beds, raked sand areas, and a pond surrounded by pines and low plants.
The complex began in 1465 as a retreat for a shogun and was converted into a Zen monastery after his death in 1490. Construction took place during the Onin War, which shook the region for more than a decade.
The name refers to a plan to coat the facade with silver leaf that was never carried out. Today the building remains in its original dark wood appearance and visitors appreciate it for its simple look.
The entrance sits at the northern edge of Kyoto and is reachable by bus lines from the city center. A walking route leads through the gardens and offers views of the hall from several points, with some paths running over stone steps and gentle slopes.
A raised sand mound in the garden takes the shape of an upward cone meant to reflect moonlight. Visitors often notice only when leaving that this sand is reshaped daily by monks.
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