The Beauty of Mosses at Ginkaku-ji
Ginkaku-ji started out as a retirement villa on the outskirts of Kyoto for a 15th century feudal lord. Originally, the main building was supposed to be covered with silver. Ginkaku-ji, in fact, means Temple of the Silver Pavilion. Civil war caused the silver idea to be indefinitely postponed, yet the name stuck.
Ginkaku-ji was the first garden we visited during our stay in Kyoto.
This is the main building, called the kannon-den. As you can see, no silver. But that was OK, because we had really come to see the garden. In fact, Ginkaku-ji turned out to be our favorite garden in Kyoto – at least among those we got to visit.
The rock garden (almost all sand, actually) was one of the first things we saw. The precise and meticulous quality here is obvious. But it is that very exactitude that strikes me as sterile. The perfectly shaped cone of sand is supposed to represent Mt. Fuji, or so I was told.
I think this area is supposed to represent the ocean. But let’s move on.
There was a pond near the pavilion. I can appreciate the use of stone in Japanese gardens much better than the sand. The rough, irregular stones covered with lichens and mosses are far more evocative.
As always, reflections of trees in water have a dreamy quality.
Even so, it was the mosses – on stone or spread out in the dappled shade – that were Ginkaku-ji’s most compelling feature.
Moss and ferns make the pond-side stones come to life.
I love this waterfall. It must have been designed with the same precision that went into the sand gardens – and yet it seems incredibly natural. It gave me a feeling of energy and luxuriance.
Past the waterfall the path takes you up a small but steep hill.
Along the way there are more opportunities to admire the mosses. They make the stony slope look like it is covered in fuzzy green pillows.
These stone steps are on the other side of the summit.
A rill provides the sound of running water.
Looking back down at the moss-covered forest floor.
Some of the old trees are supported with rope and wooden poles.
Though the grounds are carefully maintained, tree stumps are allowed to stand and decay with time.
Another rill, this one more naturalistic.
Here we are at the top of the hill, enjoying a view of the temple and a portion of Kyoto beyond.
Moss is used more extensively at Ginkaku-ji than at any other garden we’ve visited. It imparts a feeling of softness and tranquility. The moss also adds to the impression of great age, though the garden was extensively restored in 2008. Speaking for myself, if I could revisit just one garden in Kyoto, it would certainly be this one.
gardeninacity 
BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS! I love the roofs on the old buildings. OH, and the pools, the trees, such lush vegetation!!! Thanks for sharing. I know you are enjoying yourself there.
The vegetation is very lush – so much green!
A lovely garden and it is my favourite of the Japanese posts you have done. I loved the paths & the waterfall too, The garden has a tranquil feel to it.
Shade gardens can have a special kind of tranquility, and this garden had that quality to a remarkable degree.
My favorite too. I loved the temple or pavilion. Just beautiful with all the green.
Lovely photos of the mosses, this is also my favourite of your Japanese posts. The trees with their paths lead you on, lovely mosses on both side of the path, but none on the steps, does someone keep the steps clear of moss?
That’s a good question. I’m guessing someone must.
Beautiful! I visited this temple a few times while living in Japan – both in winter and spring, and it always looked perfect. As you say, so precisely planned and yet so natural. I would love to return one day just to see this one garden. So glad you got to see this one Jason/Judy!
So you must have lived in Japan for a long time. How recently was this?
Ages ago! 1991-1993. I was teaching English in Tokyo but did quite a bit of travelling while there. I expect a lot has changed since then. 😉
Love the moss-covered rocks and mossy ground cover, the stone steps, the rills – it does look tranquil. Like you, though, I don’t really get the sculpted sand. I’d be so tempted to run about in it (but of course I wouldn’t)!
I understand the impulse to run around on the sand. I wanted to put a second story and a little flag on that giant cone of sand.
Love the moss, especially on the stony slope,. Of the gardens you’ve highlighted, this is my favorite too.
Overall, it was probably the most wonderful garden we saw in Japan.
Gorgeous. I am a fan of Japanese gardens, which is odd because my own gardening style is such a kitchen sink of chaos. For the me wow in this was the Japanese maple over the waterfall.
I’m generally not a huge fan of the Japanese gardens I’ve seen in the US. However, the gardens in Japan had a different effect on me – even so, I would never try to use the elements of these gardens at home.
Those mossy green pillows get me every time. I think the big pile of sand would be improved with moss growing on it. I always think it is amazing when moss grows in such abundance.
I agree. I’ve been thinking about converting part of the back from (scraggly) grass to moss.
These photo really convey a sense of tranquility and peace. I love the moss covered rocks and dappled light. Rills, with the sound and motion of the flowing water, are wonderful whether natural or not.
We have a little fountain, but I would love to have some kind of rill.
Thanks so much for sharing, this is gorgeous. Our yard has so much tree cover, we have moss instead of grass and I have always loved that. After my husband put in our two ponds and waterfalls, moss began to cover the rocks in beautiful patterns. You are so right about the tranquility and peace that comes with moss and dappled light.
You’re lucky that the moss is happy in your garden. I’m amazed that some people feel the need to remove moss from their properties.
Never!
What an exquisite garden. The abundance of mosses reminded me of Elizabeth Gilbert’s “The Signature of All Things”, which I had to be pulled kicking and screaming to read after “Eat, Pray, Love”! But it was worth it.
I also read “The Signature of All Things” and really enjoyed it. I remember that the heroine ends up studying mosses because they were too “insignificant” to interest the male botanists.
What a wonderful post to read first thing this morning. If only moss grew as happily in southern Wisconsin!
I have some moss growing in our back garden, and I’m thinking about ways to encourage it.
They do have a way with mosses…one of my favorite features of the Japanese Garden here. Luckily, it does well here, too.
Right, I remember the mosses from some of the trips to the PNW.
I like that waterfall too, and the mosses, but I’m not crazy about the stone steps. They look unnatural to me.
I wonder how they get the mosses to grow so well. Probably lots of water.
I also wonder what a good rain storm does to the sand garden.
I think the sand garden needs constant touching up. We actually have some pictures of workers doing just that.
I love the softness and tranquility of the moss-covered forest floor! The photo of the “fuzzy green pillows’ is wonderful. To think that some people think moss is a weed! My neighbor had moss growing over the ground in a shady, damp area of her yard. it was beautiful. I discovered her trying to get rid of it one day. I pointed out to her that it was soft, green, low-maintenance, and shutting out weeds. She had no plans other than to get rid of it, and I pointed out that ugly weeds would soon take over. So she kept her moss. A small victory!
Small but heartening! Moss is a terrible thing to waste. If I had moss covering part of my yard I would consider myself lucky.
Stunning, simply stunning. Everything about the place, but as you say, especially the mosses. Such a warm and comforting place on earth. 🙂
Mosses are comforting, as you say The softness reminds me of a baby blanket.
I’m with Sam, above. That expanse of sand made me want to jump in walk around. I guess I crave a little chaos.
Can’t live without it, myself.
From what I’ve seen and read in your posts, this would be my favourite garden too. I love the tranquil feeling the moss gives. Great post.
Thank you!
Lovely vignette photos of the fern and moss by the pool-side rock and the delicate foliage by the thin fall of water. Do you know how they keep the moss so clear of leaf and other litter? Are the pillows of moss covering rocks or is the ground naturally shaped like that?
I loved the stone steps with the side channel for water and the small flat-topped stones behind the large stone risers. Wonderful combination of practicality and good design.
I don’t really have an answer for either of your questions. I suspect that there is very assiduous and skilled maintenance involved in keeping the moss clear. I assumed that the pillows were rocks, but I couldn’t say for sure.
How lovely. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome!
Raked gravel doesn’ t do it for me, but moss, trees and stone -exquisite!
Exactly how I felt.