Kyoto Things to Do Tips by elcbw

Ginkakuji, the Silver Pavilion, is a Zen temple at the foot of Kyoto's Higashiyama ("eastern mountains"). The temple is formally known as Tozan Jishoji.

In 1482, shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa built his retirement villa on the grounds of today's temple. A few years later, the Silver Pavilion, modeled after Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), was constructed. Plans to cover the pavilion in silver were never realized.

The villa was converted into a Zen temple after Yoshimasa's death in 1490.

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Directions: Ginkakuji can be accessed by direct bus number 4, 17 or 100 from Kyoto Station. Alternatively, you can reach Ginkakuji by foot along the Path of Philosophy from Nanzenji.

Ryoanji is a Zen temple in northwestern Kyoto. The temple's main attraction is its rock garden, the most famous of its kind in Japan. The simple Zen garden consist of nothing but rocks, moss and neatly raked gravel. The meaning of the garden's arrangement is unknown and up to each visitor's interpretation

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Directions: Ryoanji is a 5 min. bus ride or 15 min. walk west of the Golden Pavilion. It can also be reached by the Keifuku Kitano Line which offers a connection to Arashiyama. To access Ryoanji, get off at Ryoanji-michi Station from where it is only a 5 min. walk.

Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) is a Zen temple formally known as Rokuonji.

In 1397 construction started on the Golden Pavilion as part of a new residence for the retired shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. Kinkakuji was converted into a Zen temple after Yoshimitsu's death in 1408.

The Golden Pavilion functions as shariden, housing sacred relics of the Buddha and is covered in gold leaf. The present building dates from 1955 as the pavilion was burnt by a fanatic monk in 1950.

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Directions: Kinkakuji can be accessed by direct bus number 101 or 205 from Kyoto Station. A faster variant is taking the Karasuma Subway Line to Kitaoji Station from where the temple can be reached by a short bus ride.

The Walk of Philosophy (Tetsugaku no michi) is a pleasant path besides a canal that connects Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) with the vicinity of Nanzenji.
Cherry trees are planted along most of the over one kilometer long path, making it one of Kyoto's most popular spots for hanami (cherry blossom viewing) in spring. The trees are usually in bloom in the beginning to mid April.

In addition, several smaller temples and a few restaurants can be found along the way.

It is quite a lengthy walk. Proper shoes are highly recommended.

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Address: Eastern part of Kyoto.
Directions: Start the walk at either Ginkakuji or Nanzenji. Note that the path starts/ends a 5-10 minute walk north of Nanzenji.