Ginkaku-ji in Kyoto began as a retreat for the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa. Planning started around 1460, and construction of the Kannon-den began on February 21, 1482 but halted during the Ōnin War. Yoshimasa died on January 27, 1490, when the villa became the temple Jishō-ji. The infobox gives 1490 as completion, but the text describes the work as unfinished. The article names no architect.
The Kannon-den is two stories and was meant to emulate Kinkaku-ji. Its lacquered finish reflected the pond, and the silver overlay was never applied. The garden is supposedly by Sōami, and a sand garden has a cone said to symbolize Mount Fuji. The Tōgu-dō is a National Treasure.
The Silver Pavilion nickname dates only to the Edo period. Restoration began in February 2008, and the lacquer was not refinished to its original state. The temple and garden are open to the public.
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