Ginkaku-ji Temple

  Ginkaku-ji Temple, also known as the Silver Pavilion, is nestled in the Sakyo Ward of Kyoto along the foot of the eastern hills. Built in 1482 as a retirement villa for Ashikaga Yoshimasa, this temple embodies the principles of Zen aesthetics with its understated elegance. Its most notable feature is the beautifully maintained gardens, which include a meticulously raked sand garden that represents the sea and islands. In April, visitors can especially enjoy the sight of cherry blossoms framing the temple grounds. While exploring, don’t miss the chance to see the striking moss garden, which showcases various shades of green that change with the seasons.