Note: This is a provisional (unofficial) English translation of the Japanese page published on our Japanese site (Japanese original). The Japanese original takes precedence. The translation may be revised without notice.
Tōzan Jishō Zenji (東山慈照禅寺), commonly known as Ginkaku-ji (銀閣寺), is a temple in Sakyō Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture. This article gives an overview of its sect, principal image, history, and access.
Basic information
| Temple name | Tōzan Jishō Zenji (東山慈照禅寺), commonly known as Ginkaku-ji |
|---|---|
| Mountain name (sangō) | Tōzan |
| Sect | Rinzai, Shokoku-ji branch (臨済宗相国寺派) |
| Principal image (honzon) | Shaka Nyorai (Shakyamuni Tathagata, 釈迦如来) |
| Address | Ginkakuji-chō 2, Sakyō Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture |
History
- 1482 (Bunmei 14): Ashikaga Yoshimasa (足利義政) began building the Higashiyama villa.
- 1485 (Bunmei 17): Yoshimasa became a Buddhist monk.
- 1486 (Bunmei 18): Tōgu-dō (東求堂) was built.
- 1489 (Chōkyō 3): The pillars of the Kannon Hall (Ginkaku, 観音殿) were erected and its ridgepole was raised.
- 1490 (Entoku 2): Yoshimasa died. The Higashiyama villa (Higashiyama-dono, 東山殿) was converted into a Zen temple and named Jishō-ji.
- 1994 (Heisei 6): Registered as a World Heritage Site under the name “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.”
The Kannon Hall (Ginkaku) and Tōgu-dō are National Treasures. The garden is designated by the state as a Special Historic Site and Special Place of Scenic Beauty.
Visitor tips
Normally, only the garden can be visited. The Tōgu-dō, the Hōjō (abbot’s hall), and Rōseitei (弄清亭) are said to be opened for special public viewing in spring and autumn.
Visiting guide (fees, hours, parking, etc.)
| Visiting hours | March 1–November 30: 8:30–17:00. December 1–end of February: 9:00–16:30. |
|---|---|
| Admission fee | Adults (high school and older): 1,000 yen. Children (elementary and junior high school students): 500 yen. |
| Goshuin | Until 16:00, goshuin are recorded in a goshuin book (shūinchō). After 16:00, loose-sheet goshuin (kakioki, 書置き) are said to be issued. |
| Parking | The temple has no parking for general visitors. Visitors use municipal parking lots or coin parking. |
This guide is based on the information in each source as checked on September 19, 2026. Fees, hours, and events may change. Please check the latest information with the temple or local tourism association before your visit.
Access and map
About 6 minutes on foot from the Kyoto City Bus stop “Ginkakuji-mae,” or about 10 minutes on foot from the stop “Ginkakuji-michi.”
Other temples in Kyoto Prefecture
- Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺)
- Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺, Rokuon-ji)
- Tō-ji (東寺, Kyōō-gokoku-ji)
- Ryoanji (龍安寺)
- Sanjusangendo (三十三間堂, Rengeō-in)
- Daigo-ji (醍醐寺)
For ancestor researchers
If you are looking for a family temple (bodaiji, 菩提寺) or the location of a necrology register (kakochō, 過去帳), you may also wish to see the list of temples in Kyoto Prefecture by municipality.
