Ginkakuji
The Silver Pavilion
Back to Ginkakuji
As written by flying s, I visited Yotsugi Chaya and it was wonderful! During the Summer, an American girl works there as a waitress and is fluent in both Japanese and pretty good at French; we spoke while she served me. The noodles were surprisingly good and the shaved ice is so good. Ginkaku-ji was nice, but smaller than I thought. The road was really nice and a good exercise too!
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Nov 25 2007
The Silver Temple is surrounded by dozens of scenic points and interests. The view from the temple looking down the entire city is spectacular. The fun part is walking up to the Temple. The road is filled with small souvenir shops. At the end of the road, right before entering the temple, there is a great place to take a rest. It is called Yotsugi Chaya (a traditional noodle shop) which is very friendly to foreigners. They are best known for their Soba noodles. The Kirin beer specially brewed for Kyoto also tastes great in hot weather.
Reviewed by: The Flying Shrimp from on Jul 15 2007
Before I went to Ginkaku-ji, I though it was silver and shinning like Kinkaku-ji. I was supplised to see how differnces between them. You can enjoy Ginkakuji itself and other nature such as walking pass on the hill in the same area of Ginkaku-ji. Now it is the best season to visit this temple and Kyoto.
Reviewed by: YASUYUKI from on Apr 02 2006
There are four things about Ginkakuji that make it one of my favorite desintations in Kyoto. First is the wall of camelias that frame the entrance. Note how the sense of length and space is increased by the long horizontal path. Next, the magnificent 5 needle Pine Tree just inside the entrance. The delicate blue hue of this pine and the intricate shape always delight me. Then the raked sand, symbolizing waves genlty rolling up a beach in the moonlight. Squint your eyes and imagine a full moon shining on this vista. The moss covered hillside is lovely, especially after a rain and the maples are magnificent in autumn. Walk slowly, there is a different view from every vantage.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Apr 01 2005
A lot is made of the "golden pavillion" Kinkakuji, leaving Ginkakuji a footnote in the travel guide. It is a more subdued spot, but therefore, also a very peaceful and beautiful place. Generally, it's free of the hoardes of tourists and school daytrippers that crowd Kinkakuji, leaving you free to revel in the beautiful moss gardens. We went in midsummer--I'd recommend going a bit earlier than that if possible.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Mar 08 2005
Ah, the Silver Pavillion. People go there for it alone, and then take the bus back. DON'T! Instead, follow the Road of Philosophy south, have a coffee, eat some cinnamon crackers (yatsu-hashi), enjoy the area around. The Silver Pavillion itself is worth it, ESPECIALLY in winter, during snow. The etherial view of artifical, symetric sand mixing with the bionic, moving background of trees and water is sure to whet your appetite for reflection.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Dec 20 2004
This temple is a little more subdued than the highly touted Kinkakuji, but Ginkakuji is much better. The grounds of Ginkakuji include a very nice moss garden, and you can climb up the side of a hill and enjoy a nice view of Kyoto. The more subdued design of Ginkakuji reflects the true Japanese character in my opinion.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Oct 17 2004
This temple, known as the Silver Temple, is sometimes underrated by visitors, but is vital to the development of Japanese culture and aesthetics. For reasons why, read Donald Keene's book, *Yoshimasa and the Silver Pavilion: The Creation of the Soul of Japan* (Columbia University Press, 2003).
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Oct 01 2004
The Silver Pavilion
Back to Ginkakuji
As written by flying s, I visited Yotsugi Chaya and it was wonderful! During the Summer, an American girl works there as a waitress and is fluent in both Japanese and pretty good at French; we spoke while she served me. The noodles were surprisingly good and the shaved ice is so good. Ginkaku-ji was nice, but smaller than I thought. The road was really nice and a good exercise too!
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Nov 25 2007
The Silver Temple is surrounded by dozens of scenic points and interests. The view from the temple looking down the entire city is spectacular. The fun part is walking up to the Temple. The road is filled with small souvenir shops. At the end of the road, right before entering the temple, there is a great place to take a rest. It is called Yotsugi Chaya (a traditional noodle shop) which is very friendly to foreigners. They are best known for their Soba noodles. The Kirin beer specially brewed for Kyoto also tastes great in hot weather.
Reviewed by: The Flying Shrimp from on Jul 15 2007
Before I went to Ginkaku-ji, I though it was silver and shinning like Kinkaku-ji. I was supplised to see how differnces between them. You can enjoy Ginkakuji itself and other nature such as walking pass on the hill in the same area of Ginkaku-ji. Now it is the best season to visit this temple and Kyoto.
Reviewed by: YASUYUKI from on Apr 02 2006
There are four things about Ginkakuji that make it one of my favorite desintations in Kyoto. First is the wall of camelias that frame the entrance. Note how the sense of length and space is increased by the long horizontal path. Next, the magnificent 5 needle Pine Tree just inside the entrance. The delicate blue hue of this pine and the intricate shape always delight me. Then the raked sand, symbolizing waves genlty rolling up a beach in the moonlight. Squint your eyes and imagine a full moon shining on this vista. The moss covered hillside is lovely, especially after a rain and the maples are magnificent in autumn. Walk slowly, there is a different view from every vantage.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Apr 01 2005
A lot is made of the "golden pavillion" Kinkakuji, leaving Ginkakuji a footnote in the travel guide. It is a more subdued spot, but therefore, also a very peaceful and beautiful place. Generally, it's free of the hoardes of tourists and school daytrippers that crowd Kinkakuji, leaving you free to revel in the beautiful moss gardens. We went in midsummer--I'd recommend going a bit earlier than that if possible.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Mar 08 2005
Ah, the Silver Pavillion. People go there for it alone, and then take the bus back. DON'T! Instead, follow the Road of Philosophy south, have a coffee, eat some cinnamon crackers (yatsu-hashi), enjoy the area around. The Silver Pavillion itself is worth it, ESPECIALLY in winter, during snow. The etherial view of artifical, symetric sand mixing with the bionic, moving background of trees and water is sure to whet your appetite for reflection.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Dec 20 2004
This temple is a little more subdued than the highly touted Kinkakuji, but Ginkakuji is much better. The grounds of Ginkakuji include a very nice moss garden, and you can climb up the side of a hill and enjoy a nice view of Kyoto. The more subdued design of Ginkakuji reflects the true Japanese character in my opinion.
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Oct 17 2004
This temple, known as the Silver Temple, is sometimes underrated by visitors, but is vital to the development of Japanese culture and aesthetics. For reasons why, read Donald Keene's book, *Yoshimasa and the Silver Pavilion: The Creation of the Soul of Japan* (Columbia University Press, 2003).
Reviewed by: A Yahoo! Contributor from on Oct 01 2004
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