Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion, Kyoto)

Built 1482 by shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa as retirement villa. Companion to Kinkaku-ji but less crowded—half the annual visitors of #1 Ryoan-ji Temple (500K vs 1M). Simple silver-foil design (never fully covered, creating silvery patina). "Sea of Silver Sand" (raked gravel garden). UNESCO site. Ticket: ¥500. 1M+ annual visitors. Autumn foliage (November) spectacular. Philosopher's Path connects to Nanzen-ji.