Ginkakuji (銀閣寺)
The Golden Pavilion (金閣寺) is gold. Hence the 金 character. So you would think the Silver Pavilion would be silver since it has the 銀 character. Nope; it’s all made out of wood. I think the plan was to cover it in silver once upon a time, but that never happened. They should call it Mokukakuji (木閣寺) or the Wooden Pavilion.
If you ever go visit Ginkakuji, it isn’t the pavilion that will likely impress you. The Zen sand gardens, ponds, and green gardens are what most tourists are there for. And there are lots of tourists at Ginkakuji. If you must go, make it early in the day. Or, even better, check out the nearby temples on the Philosopher’s Path instead. They don’t charge you an arm and a leg to fight the crowds like Ginkakuji does, and, better yet, they are practically empty.
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