A view on the pond, rock formations and the side of the Ginkaku, the Silver Pavillon. Its name deriving from both the similarities to the Kinkaku (not surprising as its design was based on the latter), and the fact that it was originally meant to be covered in silver foil.
I must admit that while the Kinkaku-ji was more majestic and awe-inspiring, the calm and somehow very humble atmosphere of the Ginkaku-ji had a bigger impact on me. It's a truly and utterly beautiful place.

This gravel formation in the gardens of Ginkaku-ji symbolises Fuji-San, the 'waves' in the background the sea. In the background you can see the gardens going up the hill and seamlessly merge with the woods further up and to the sides.

Daimon-ji hill right behind the temple. The reason for its name should be rather obvious from this picture. Several of the hills around Kyoto carry such big signs. We weren't visiting at the right time to see them on fire, unfortunately. It must be quite a sight.

A stone path in the beautiful gardens. One certainly should not reduce the temple on the Golden Pavillon alone.

The Golden Pavillon (Kinkaku) is the namegiver for the more widely known name of the temple and the main reason for its fame. Like several other temples, it originally was a villa. After the death of the owning Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, it was converted into a Zen temple according to his wishes.
The gold-leaf gilding is the first thing that catches the eye, obviously. But the building and its surroundings are very beautiful even without. And even with all the tourists (including us) crawling the place, it evokes a certain feeling of awe, calm and peace.