Ginkaku‑ji

#summervacay Ginkaku‑ji officially Jishō‑ji, is Kyoto's celebrated "Silver Pavilion," a Zen temple epitomizing the refined wabi‑sabi aesthetic and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Founded by shōgun Ashikaga Yoshimasa in 1482 as a retirement villa, later converted to a temple after his death in 1490 . The Silver Pavilion (Kannon‑den) features a shoin‑zukuri (residential style) ground floor and Zen Hall upper floor—planned for silver leaf that was never applied, symbolizing imperfect beauty . Sea of Silver Sand (Ginshadan): A vast dry-sand garden featuring the cone-shaped Kōgetsudai, symbolizing Mount Fuji and moonlight . Moss garden: Lush greenery around ponds and meandering paths, exemplifying serene Zen design . #ginkakuji #myitinerary #museums #citydaytours