Kyoto during Sakura Season - Part 5: Ginkaku-ji

Our last part of the Kyoto during Sakura Season series ends with Ginkaku-ji temple. Ginkaku-ji is also named the Jisho-ji Temple, and is known as the Temple of the Silver Pavillion. Ashikaga Yoshimasa, grandson of the other guy who built the Golden Pavillion, built this as his retirement villa in 1460 and would also turn this into a Zen temple after his passing. He was 29 years old when he decided to retire and spent the next 8 years constructing this. What a lovely villa.

The temple is surrounded by these high bamboo hedges as you approach the entrance called the Ginkakuji-gaki (or Silver Pavillion fence). These hedges are nearly 50m in height and serves to separate the peaceful sanctuary that lies within from the outside world. Dramatic entrance, isn't it?!

As we entered his villa, we first came across his garden, which was inspired by the Kokedera or the Moss Temple. The garden was designed by Soami and features the exquisite sand garden. Here you see the pile of sand which is said to symbolize Mount Fuji.

 

Next stop, we see the Main Religious Hall (surrounded by the awesome sand gardens) and the pond garden.

 

 

 

Followed by some fabulous Japanese art on screen doors, dating back to the 1700's. There are about 20 of these paintings in all.

 

 

 A beautiful waterfall. It seems like no temple or retirement villa is complete without a waterfall. Good to know.

And finally, the structure we've all been waiting for, and just so happens to be the last stop of this Ginkaku-ji journey, the actual temple. I tried to take pictures from every angle: from the top, to the front, and the sides. Notice how this temple is not laced with silver, like the Kinkaku-ji was with gold. I think this better - there's more beauty in its simple elegance.

 

 

 

I've changed my mind, I want this to be our future retirement villa. Don't we look so comfortable here already?

 

 

 

I can't wait for retirement if I get to live like this!

 

 

We hope you've enjoyed our Kyoto trip as much as we did. As you can see, there are so many things to do in Kyoto. In fact, we didn't get a chance to go to all the places we want to, which means we're probably going to have to go back before we leave Japan. So maybe there will be Kyoto II.