Kyoto, Japan Dec. 23 Mon 12:38PM
A Temple with Three Names
Ginkakuji, known as the Silver Pavillion, and also by its formal name, Higashiyama Jisho-ji, is one of Kyoto's most famous Zen temples. The temple gets its nickname "Ginkakuji," or the Silver Pavillion, because it was built to reflect the style of Kinkakuji and was to be covered with silver foil when it was a villa to a shogun during the Muromachi Period. After his passing, the villa became a temple.
Alongside the famous pavillion, the Togu-do building is a National Treasure. the temple gardens are beautiful and peaceful. There is also a zen sand garden with a conical structure called Ginshadan, which is meant to be Mount Fuji. The temple and its garden are open to the public year round.