Philosopher's Path & Ginkaku-ji

慈照寺（銀閣寺）／哲学の道

A canal path under cherry trees ending at a sand garden

⚠ Ginkaku-ji fee up from Apr 2026

Hours

Ginkaku-ji 8:30am–5pm (Mar–Nov), 9am–4:30pm (Dec–Feb); the path is always open

Tickets

Ginkaku-ji adults ¥1,000 from 1 April 2026 (was ¥500), paid at the gate; the path is free

Address

2 Ginkakuji-cho, Sakyo-ku (Ginkaku-ji); the path runs about 2 km south from its entrance

A path follows a narrow canal for about 2 km from the gate of Ginkaku-ji to near Nanzen-ji. In spring the cherry trees drop petals on the water; in autumn the maples reflect in it. Ginkaku-ji isn't silver at all but dark weathered wood; the real draw is the garden of raked white sand and the flat-topped sand cone, the Kogetsudai. Climb the hillside trail behind for a view over the pavilion, the garden and the city.