Ginkaku-ji

The Silver Pavilion was never covered in silver, and that restraint is the point. The real draws are the raked "Sea of Silver Sand" with its large sand cone and a moss garden of ponds, islands, small bridges and streams that the path winds through. It opens at 8:30 for most of the year, and arriving then pays off. Afterward, walk the Philosopher's Path south toward Nanzen-ji, which takes about 30 to 45 minutes, with a short detour to Honen-in on the way.