Ginkaku Ji Temple Northern Higashiyama
- Kyoto , History religion
- 29 Aug, 2025
Ginkaku-ji temple, the famed “Silver Pavilion”, has magnificient halls and gardens. It’s predictably popular so best visited in off-peak times
[Zen garden in Ginkakuji Temple: Benny Marty /
Shutterstock.com]
Ginkaku-ji Temple (“The Silver Pavilion”) is on everyone’s checklist of sights to see while in Kyoto, both foreigners and Japanese alike. We understand why: it’s about as beautiful as any temple in the city. But, if you visit between 10am and 4pm, especially on a weekend or holiday, it is almost impossible to enjoy the place. You’ll merely have to shuffle through the grounds with hundreds of other camera-toting and generally miserable tourists. So, go right when the place opens or just before it closes, ideally on a Monday. And whatever you do, be sure to climb the trail at the back of the garden that leads to a fantastic viewpoint over the entire temple compound and the rest of the city.
English address:
2 Ginkaku-ji-cho, Sakyo-ku
Japanese Address:
左京区銀閣寺町2
Opening hours:
8.30am-5pm March-November
9am-4.30pm December-February
Admission:
Adults: ¥500
Junior high and elementary school students: ¥300
Non-smoking area: Yes
Nearest Transport:
10min walk from Ginkaku-ji-michi Bus Stop, Kyoto City Bus 5 or 17 from
Kyoto Station
Telephone: 771-5725
Website: Official Website (English)
Near To Here:
Ginkaku-ji Temple is located in Kyoto’s Northern Higashiyama
district. See our complete list of things
to do in Northern Higashiyama, including
places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
Where Is This Place Located?
- Open the Kyoto map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you’re using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- For a quick overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide.
- Check if a visa is required for Japan
- Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com.
- Buy Japan Rail Tickets and Shinkansen Tickets Online.
- For tips on where to stay, see Where To Stay In Kyoto.
- See my Packing List For Japan.
- Purchase an eSim or SIM card for Japan.
- Compare flight prices on Skyscanner.
- Consider a Japan Rail Pass - see if it’s worth for you.
- Consider a travel insurance.