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Ginkakuji

Religious spot
★ 4.9 (25K+ reviews) • 298K+ booked
Ginkakuji, or the Silver Pavilion, is a beautiful Zen temple located in the eastern mountains of Kyoto. Originally, Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa built it as a retirement villa, but later it became a Buddhist temple after Yoshimasa's death. When you visit Ginkakuji, you can check out its amazing Japanese garden. It has an interesting dry sand garden with a massive sand cone that looks like Mount Fuji. There's also a moss-covered garden with a path that lets you enjoy peaceful views and carefully designed landscapes. But that's not all! Don't forget to climb up to the moon-viewing platform. From there, you'll get breathtaking views of the temple grounds and the surrounding mountains. As a must-see temple, Ginkakuji gives you a fascinating look at Kyoto's Zen traditions. Plus, it's close to the Philosopher’s Path, making it easy to continue exploring Kyoto’s beautiful temple buildings and gardens.
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Ginkakuji, Ginkakujicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 606-8402, Japan
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Ginkakuji Reviews

4.9 /5
25K+ reviews
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Lesly *******
1 Jul
Booked a Ramen Cooking Class here in Kyoto. Mo Mo and Amir were fantastic teachers and very friendly people. Very much enjoyed and HIGHLY recommend for everyone that loves ramen to attend this. Ramen after the class was delcicious! 10/10 recommend!
Klook客路用户
1 Jul
It was afternoon when I went there, and there was no one in the store. The lady was Japanese, she was quiet and quick, and she quickly finished the two sets of matching for me and my friend. Very nice~
Klook User
1 Jul
Yuki was our day trip tour guide for Kyoto and she was great, providing info and insights about the places we are visiting.
2+
Klook User
30 Jun
The 2 men that taught us the process of making ramen were amazing and so friendly, they made the effort to explain things step by step so it was easy to follow and bonded over anime and ramen. A unique and one of a kind experience, it was just my partner and I which made the experience more private and enjoyable. Time just flew
클룩 회원
30 Jun
If you want to travel to Kyoto during your short Osaka trip, I think a guided tour is the best (JR or other transportation...). Also, the guide's Kyoto travel tips and explanations about Kyoto culture made for an enjoyable trip (a must-try for clams!)
2+
reilly ********
30 Jun
I had so much fun walking around with a kimono on, it was hot but the kimono was comfy so it didnt iritate me much. They have a wide selection of kimono and the staff are so kind, they are so jolly and nice. The place is small but homey and comforting, everything is accesible. The location is near the Gion station and also the Yasaka shrine and other beautiful traditional places you can take pictures at, super recommend this place! Great for its price.
클룩 회원
29 Jun
This is my first time writing a review on Klook. I made a reservation at 10 AM on Sunday and went there, but it was quiet and they guided me quickly, so I finished choosing and setting up in 30 minutes. First of all, I liked that they let me store a certain amount of luggage! (We didn't know that and left it in a coin locker at Kyoto Station, but) They also lent me a small pouch bag, so I was able to carry my luggage without any problems. They explained to me well that I should wear a yukata instead of a kimono because the weather was getting warmer, and they only looked at the design ㅋㅋㅋ They kindly explained to me that it would be hot whenever I was choosing a kimono, so I was grateful🥹 Even though my hair was short, they put it up nicely, and they even lent me a fan, which was very useful. (You should bring your own parasol, the sunlight is really hot) Thanks to them, I was able to travel very nicely. I understood what they meant by everyone being kind. They explained everything one by one, and the person who did my hair was especially attentive, so I was really touched... . The hair is amazing... ., This quality for this price, and famous places like Kiyomizu-dera and Sannenzaka are not too far away. 15 minutes on foot? We had a nice yukata and walked around nicely. Oh, and it was nice that there were sizes for men up to 2XL. My boyfriend also wore it in a size that fit him well. Thank you. If I come to Kyoto again, I will definitely choose it again without hesitation!!
Yu ******
29 Jun
Sakura Kimono Store has 2 branches. We went to the wrong one, but the staff was still very polite and let us have a kimono experience there. The weather was very hot, so we chose yukata. The staff who helped us put on the kimono were very nice and helped us choose accessories. They made us look very beautiful/handsome. It is a store worth recommending.
2+

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Things to do at Ginkaku-ji Temple

Explore the Main Temple Building

Explore the Main Temple Building at Ginkakuji, also called the Silver Pavilion. Even though it was never covered in silver like planned, its beauty comes from its simple and elegant design. As you walk through, you'll feel like you've traveled back in time to when Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa lived, who built the temple as a place to retire.

Walk around the Temple Grounds and Gardens

The temple grounds at Ginkakuji are famous for their amazing Japanese gardens. Follow the circular route and make sure to stop by the big sand cone and dry sand garden, which stands for Mount Fuji and the sea. This peaceful place shows off Zen Buddhism and the Higashiyama culture.

Experience a Tea Ceremony

Join a traditional tea ceremony at Ginkakuji to get a true taste of Zen Buddhist customs. This activity lets you enjoy matcha tea in a quiet setting surrounded by beautiful gardens. It's a great way to learn more about Japanese traditions.

Learn the Art of Flower Arrangement

Ginkakuji is a fantastic place to learn about flower arranging, which is an important part of the Higashiyama culture. The temple sometimes offers classes and shows how to do this delicate art.

Go to the Philosopher's Path

After you're done at Ginkakuji, take a relaxing walk along the Philosopher's Path. This lovely path, lined with cherry blossoms, is perfect for soaking up Kyoto's natural beauty. You can also stop by the cute cafes and shops along the way for a nice afternoon break.

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