Ginkaku-ji, also known as the Temple of the Silver Pavilion, is a Zen temple located in Kyoto's eastern mountains, known as Higashiyama. It was originally constructed as a retirement villa for the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa in 1482 and later converted into a Zen temple. Despite its name, the pavilion was never covered in silver but is believed to have earned its nickname due to the moonlight reflecting on its dark exterior, giving it a silvery appearance. Today, Ginkaku-ji is a celebrated cultural site, reflecting the Higashiyama Culture of the Muromachi period, and is open to the public for visitation.