Kinkaku-ji
A Zen Buddhist temple in northern Kyoto, Japan, famous for its stunning top two floors completely covered in gold leaf. Originally a villa for a shogun, it was converted into a temple after his death and is now a national historic site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The pavilion is centrally located on a large pond, with the name “Kinkaku-ji” referring specifically to the gilded reliquary hall that is the temple’s centerpiece. (Kremer, 2025)