Japan Day 3, Part 4: Ginkaku-ji

The temple of Ginkaku-ji began as a Shogun Yoshimasa's villa retreat. It's name means 'Silver Pavilion', though (unlike the golden pavilion) the centerpiece never received the metal plating to make the name accurate. The grounds do make for a peaceful experience, with sculpted gravel gardens between lush organic ones. 

I'm rather glad the 'Silver Pavilion' stayed wooden. I think it would have looked gaudy and ostentatious instead of serene and dignified.

The gardens were spectacular.

The rock gardens were less serene, since the gravel seemed to be ideal nesting ground for bees.

I enjoyed the numerous stone footbridges across the ponds and streams of the extensive gardens.

A path with bamboo steps looped around the woods overlooking the pavilion.

The overlook was the only place in the grounds where one could get a sense of how close they were to the rest of the city. Everywhere else felt miles away.

Thick and well-maintained hedges guided us out of the retreat and back into the city.