Landmarks · 4 min read
Ginkaku-ji, Kyoto: Hours, Tickets and the Silver Pavilion
Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion, sits at the start of the Philosopher's Path. Hours, ¥1,000 admission, what is open, accessibility and bus stops.
By Todokyoto · Updated November 3, 2026
Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion, is a Zen temple in Sakyo Ward at the northern end of Kyoto's eastern hills. Its official name is Jisho-ji. The Philosopher's Path runs past its front gate, so most visitors pair the two. A visit is short, and the temple suggests about 30 minutes.
When to Go
The temple is open all year, with hours that depend on the season. From March 1 to November 30 it is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. From December 1 to the end of February it is open 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Last admission is at 5:00 p.m. in summer hours and 4:30 p.m. in winter hours. The temple notes that hours may change for special exhibitions, and it asks visitors to leave by the stated departure time.
The temple's own pages describe the Philosopher's Path as a route for cherry blossom in spring and fireflies in summer. See Higashiyama for the walk along the canal and the rest of the northern end.
Practical Information
- Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (March 1 to November 30). 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (December 1 to February 28).
- Admission: ¥1,000 for adults, ¥500 for primary and middle school students. The temple says there is no group discount, and that fees can change for special exhibitions.
- Time needed: about 30 minutes, according to the temple's FAQ.
- What is open: normally only the gardens. The Togudo, Hojo (abbot's quarters) and Roseitei can be visited by the public only during special openings in spring and autumn, and the Kannonden, the Silver Pavilion itself, is not open to the public.
- Getting there: city buses 5, 7, 32, 102, 203 and 204 stop at Ginkakuji-michi. Buses EX100 and 105 stop at Ginkakuji-mae. See Getting Around Kyoto for bus passes.
- Parking: the temple does not have a public parking lot. The Ginkaku-ji Kanko parking lot (075-771-0783) is a municipal option, and coin lots are nearby.
- Accessibility: the temple says wheelchair visits are possible except at some scenic viewing spots, and that an accessible toilet is next to the gift shop. A map of the grounds shows which spots are affected.
- Rules: pets can come if carried or in a carrier, not walking on the paths. There are no guided tours except for special viewings, and no Wi-Fi on the grounds.
What to See
The Silver Pavilion
The Kannon-den is a National Treasure and the symbol of the temple. The first floor is named the Shinku-den and the second the Cho'on-kaku. The temple says it is the only surviving multi-storied building in a garden from the Muromachi period. The temple says the name Ginkaku, Silver Pavilion, was given in the Edo period in contrast with Kinkaku-ji, the Gold Pavilion. Construction began in March 1489, and Ashikaga Yoshimasa died in January 1490 before it was finished.
The Sand and the Garden
In front of the abbot's quarters, white sand is piled into a stair-like mound called Ginshadan and a truncated cone called Kogetsudai. Folk explanations say the mound reflects moonlight, but the temple notes there is little evidence that these explanations date to the Muromachi period. The garden of the Higashiyama palace is, according to the temple, the only surviving garden whose design Yoshimasa oversaw. A 50-metre path between bamboo fences leads from the main gate to the central gate.
The Philosopher's Path
The Philosopher's Path begins at the temple's front gate. The temple says it is named after the philosopher Nishida Kitaro, who often walked it. For where the path leads and what to see along it, read Higashiyama. For manners at temples, read Temple Etiquette in Kyoto.
History in Brief
Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the eighth Muromachi shogun, began building the Higashiyama villa in 1482 on the former site of the temple Jodo-ji, which burned in the Onin War. After Yoshimasa died in 1490, the villa became a Zen Rinzai temple named after his posthumous Buddhist name, Jisho-in. The temple is affiliated with Shokoku-ji. The temple also ties the origin of the Daimonji bonfire, lit each August 16, to Yoshimasa.
Questions Visitors Ask
Can I go inside the Silver Pavilion?
No. The temple says the Kannon-den is not open to the public. The Togudo, Hojo and Roseitei open to visitors only during special spring and autumn openings.
How long does a visit take?
About 30 minutes, according to the temple.
Is there parking?
The temple does not have a public lot. Use a municipal or coin-operated lot nearby.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Mostly. The temple says visits are possible except for some scenic viewing spots, and an accessible toilet is next to the gift shop.
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