Isabella B.
Yelp
Officially the "Temple of Shining Mercy" and popularly known as the "The Temple of the Silver Pavillon", this was built when the 8th Muromachi shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa decided to retire at the age of 29 to pursue his deep interest in the arts. His retirement villa was created in the Higayashima style (named after the shogun) - the design is much more simple than its ornate "cousin" the Kinkaku-ji created by his grandfather. Though supposed to be coated in silver during construction, the Onin War broke out and as a result the construction was halted. As a result the temple currently looks the same way it did before the shogun's death. Afterwards per the shogun's wishes it was converted into a Buddhist temple, now currently occupied by the Rinzai sect.
Unlike Kinkaku-ji where most of the shops are located after the main temple the shopping area is located as you ascend the path going up to the main entrance on both sides. There's plenty of eating and shopping options. Supposedly one of the "cool" activities is to eat matcha soft serve.
Between the main gate and the middle gate (where you'll pay your entrance fee and obtain ticket) you'll find the fence/main approach containing 50 meters of wall-like hedges on both sides. Supposedly this approach serves the purpose of separating the peaceful sanctuary from the outside world and creating a dramatic prelude to the realm of beauty within.
After paying the entrance fee of 500円, you are led to the beginning of the temple grounds where Ginshadan and Kogetsudai will greet you. Supposedly representing waves and Mount Fuji, respectively, they are made of a fine white sand higher in quality than regular sand. Supposedly at night they reflect the moonlight.
Out of the twelve originally constructed structures only the main hall "Kannon-den" (aka Ginkaku) and Togu-do survive. These structures are two of Japan's "national treasures".
- Kannon-den is modeled after the Shariden of Kinkaku-ji and contains two floors. The first floor "Shinkuden" was modeled in the traditional Japanese style and where the shogun practiced meditation. The upper story, "Cho-onkaku" is modeled in the Chinese style containing a Chinese sliding door. The bronze phoenix (also modeled after Kinkaku-ji's golden phoenix) constantly guards the temple dedicated to Kannon, the goddess of mercy.
- The other complex, Togu-do, symbolized the shogun's affinity for the True Pure Land Buddhism sect (he believed in both Pure Land and Zen). The formal study room in this area became a prototype for future tearooms (because Higayashima era was when tea ceremony started becoming popular) and the size of the tearoom (4.5 tatami mats) became the gold standard ratio for tea rooms.
- As the shogun partook in tea ceremony the water arising from the wells here are of very good quality, they are still known as being of superior quality in contemporary tea ceremony culture.
Though I didn't partake in tea here supposedly they sell tea and all different kinds of wagashi. There's a dedicated area that you can take your purchased goods to eat.
The beginning of the ascent to the main gate of Ginkaku-ji marks the northern terminus of the Philosopher's Path (http://www.yelp.com/biz/%E5%93%B2%E5%AD%A6%E3%81%AE%E9%81%93-%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%B8%82-3?hrid=cbyTI5fzQacaj0D6x7irDw), another common tourist activity.
Along with Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji's rock garden and Kiyomizu-dera (which I didn't visit), Ginkaku-ji is one of the top four must-see Buddhist temples in Kyoto. It is one of the defining examples of "Higayashima culture", an era which developed many of the activities now commonly associated with Japanese culture such as tea ceremony and ikebana.