Kinkakuji Temple (Rokuonji Temple), located in Kita-ku, Kyoto City, was founded in 1397 when Yoshimitsu Ashikaga, the third Shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, inherited the villa of the Saionji family and built the mountain villa Kitayamaden. After Yoshimitsu's death, the temple was converted into a Zen temple according to his will and was named Rokuonji Temple. The symbol of Kinkakuji Temple, the Shariden, is a three-story structure with pure gold leaf applied over lacquer, and a phoenix shines on the top floor. The inverted Kinkakuji reflected in the pond further highlights its beauty and attracts many people.

The Shariden is characterized by its combination of different architectural styles, with the first story in a shinden-zukuri style, the second story in a samurai-zukuri style, and the third story in a Zen Buddhist temple-style. The garden is a strolling garden with a pond and many famous stones and plants, and you can enjoy beautiful scenery in every season. In particular, Kinkakuji Temple covered in snow is breathtakingly beautiful, creating a world like a sumi-e painting. It is registered as part of the World Heritage Site "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto," and attracts many tourists from both Japan and abroad.

Ginkakuji Temple is located about 30 minutes to the east.