Michael A. Stecker
mastecker@gmail.com

Garden of Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) in Kyoto Japan
Ginkakuji is a Zen temple along Kyoto's eastern mountains (Higashiyama). In 1482, shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa built his retirement villa on the grounds of today's temple, modeling it after Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion). The villa was converted into a Zen temple after Yoshimasa's death in 1490.

Today, Ginkakuji consists of the Silver Pavilion, half a dozen other temple buildings, a beautiful moss garden and a unique dry sand garden. It is enjoyed by walking along a circular route around its grounds, from which the gardens and buildings can be viewed.