What is Kinkakuji Temple (The Golden Pavilion)

Formally, it name is Rokuon-ji.The Kinkaku-ji is a UNESCO World Heritage Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto as 1994 and known as The Temple of the Golden Pavilion.

It castle is arquitected with gilt 3 layers, and called "Kinkaku".
The whole temple calls as "Kinkaku-ji". Kintsune Saionji (Fujiwara clan), built "Saion-ji" temple during the Kamakura era 1185-1333). After the fall of the Kamakura hogunate, Yoshimitsu Ashikaga (Ashikaga shogunate) took over the Saion-ji. And he econstructed a huge mansion "Kitayama Lodge", which is camparable to the Imperial Palace for the management of the central politics.
'cause the will of Yoshimitsu Ashikaga (Ashikaga shogunate), Kitayama was dismantle and became a Zen temple "Rokuon-ji (Kinkaku-ji)".

Kinkaku has interesting structure.

The basement is made with aristocracical style, the next floor is with samurai style, and the top floor is made with Imperial style. It says, it suggests, he is greater than any other class. Actually, he was accepted as the king of Japan by other countries.
There are many other supporting evidence evenif the Emperor is the top of Japan, officially. i.e "Houou", oriental phoenix is on the top of Kinkaku.
But normally it hould'nt bethere as sacred beast were permited only for royal family use at that time. It could suggest Ashikaga family take the place of the royal family.
In Japan there are just two temples where you can find Houou, Kinkaku and Byodouin Hououdo(the buileding of 10 yen coin).