Ginkakuji TemplevsKinkakuji Temple
Both are recommended by writers. On balance, Ginkaku-ji Temple is the choice of most writers compared to Kinkakuji Temple. Ginkaku-ji Temple is ranked #2 in Kyoto with endorsements from 5 reviewers like Lonely Planet, Concierge and Frommer's.
Ginkakuji Temple
Fodor's
Concierge
Frommer's
2 Ginkakuji-cho Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 606-8402
From $0/night
Fodor's "The Temple of the Silver Pavilion... is an exercise in elegance and restraint." Full review
Concierge "Breathtakingly modern though half a millennium old, its sculpted sand garden would transport anyone into a Zen state (if not for the crowds)."
Frommer's "Ginkakuji, considered one of the more beautiful structures in Kyoto, was built in 1482 as a retirement villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa." Full review
Kinkakuji Temple Fodor's
Travel + Leisure
U.S. News & World Report
Monocle Frommer's
1 Kinkaku-ji-cho Kita-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 603-8361
From $0/night
Fodor's "Possibly the world's most ostentatious retirement cottage, the magnificent gold-sheathed Kinkaku-ji was built by Shogun Yoshimitsu Ashikaga (1358–1409)." Full review
Travel + Leisure "A 14th-century Gold Pavilion." Full review
U.S. News & World Report10.0
"Its top two floors swathed in gold leaf, the Golden Pavilion sits pretty in Kyoto's northern reaches, overlooking the glassy surface of Mirror Lake...what now stands is a replica of Kinkaku-ji" Full review
Monocle "To refurbish its kokerabuki (a roof made with a layer of thin wooden shingles), about 100,000 aged wooden boards were replaced as well as 10,000 gold leaves on the phoenix statue on top of the roof."
i
The renewal has certainly brought some sparkle to the temple – make sure to take a look while the makeover is still fresh.
Frommer's "Features a three-story pavilion covered in gold leaf with a roof topped by a bronze phoenix." Full review
i
Be sure to explore the surrounding park with its moss-covered grounds and teahouses.
