Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion, is a historic Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan. Officially named Rokuon-ji, it is renowned for its stunning architecture, with the top two floors completely covered in gold leaf. This magnificent structure is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto and is listed as a World Heritage Site. The temple's history dates back to 1397, when it was originally built as a villa for shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and later transformed into a temple according to his will. Today, Kinkaku-ji remains one of Kyoto's most visited landmarks, embodying the extravagance of the Kitayama culture of medieval Japan.