Ginkaku-ji

Ginkaku-ji, officially known as Jisho-ji, was built in 1482 by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa as a retirement villa and later converted into a Zen temple. Despite its name, the Silver Pavilion was never actually coated in silver, unlike its golden counterpart Kinkaku-ji. The grounds have the Ginshadan sand garden, a large cone of raked sand called Kogetsudai said to reflect moonlight, and a beautifully landscaped moss garden with a pond. The temple sits at the northern end of the Philosopher's Path, one of Kyoto's most beloved walking routes, making it an ideal starting or ending point for exploring Higashiyama.