Introduces the Kinkaku-ji; Japan Kyoto's most popular attractions.

Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺^?, lit. "Temple of the Golden Pavilion"), officially named Rokuon-ji (鹿苑寺^?, lit. "Deer Garden Temple"), is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan.^[2] The garden complex is an excellent example of Muromachi period garden design.^[3] The Muromachi period is considered to be a classical age of Japanese garden design.^[4] The correlation between buildings and its settings were greatly emphasized during this period.^[4] It was a way to integrate the structure within the landscape in an artistic way. The garden designs were characterized by a reduction in scale, a more central purpose, and a distinct setting.^[5] A minimalistic approach was brought to the garden design, by recreating larger landscapes in a smaller scale around a structure.^[5]
It is designated as a National Special Historic Site and a National Special Landscape, and it is one of 17 locations comprising the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto World Heritage Site.^[6] It is also one of the most popular buildings in Japan, attracting a large number of visitors annually.^[