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Yoshimitsu abdicated his position as [[Shogun]] in [[1394]], and in 1397 began construction on a retirement villa at the location, which he called Kitayama-den (the northern mountain palace). The first major building to be completed was the ''minami gosho'', or Southern Palace, where Yoshimitsu took up residence in [[1398]]; it later became the chief residence of his wife [[Hino Yasuko]], niece of his first wife, [[Hino Nariko]]. The ''kita gosho'', or Northern Palace, was completed in [[1407]], and became Yoshimitsu's own residence. Another residence on the site was built for [[Sukenmon'in]], the mother of [[Emperor Go-Enyu|Emperor Go-Enyû]] and grandmother of [[Emperor Go-Komatsu]]. All three residences were constructed in the ''[[shinden-zukuri]]'' style typical of aristocratic homes since the mid-[[Heian period]].<ref>H. Paul Varley, "Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and the World of Kitayama: Social Change and Shogunal Patronage in Early Muromachi Japan", in John Hall and Toyoda Takeshi eds., ''Japan in the Muromachi Age'', University of California Press (1977), 201.</ref>

Yoshimitsu abdicated his position as [[Shogun]] in [[1394]], and in 1397 began construction on a retirement villa at the location, which he called Kitayama-den (the northern mountain palace). The first major building to be completed was the ''minami gosho'', or Southern Palace, where Yoshimitsu took up residence in [[1398]]; it later became the chief residence of his wife [[Hino Yasuko]], niece of his first wife, [[Hino Nariko]]. The ''kita gosho'', or Northern Palace, was completed in [[1407]], and became Yoshimitsu's own residence. Another residence on the site was built for [[Sukenmon'in]], the mother of [[Emperor Go-Enyu|Emperor Go-Enyû]] and grandmother of [[Emperor Go-Komatsu]]. All three residences were constructed in the ''[[shinden-zukuri]]'' style typical of aristocratic homes since the mid-[[Heian period]].<ref>H. Paul Varley, "Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and the World of Kitayama: Social Change and Shogunal Patronage in Early Muromachi Japan", in John Hall and Toyoda Takeshi eds., ''Japan in the Muromachi Age'', University of California Press (1977), 201.</ref>

Following Yoshimitsu's death, in accordance with his wishes, the estate became a Buddhist temple; though the temple is more properly named Rokuon-ji, it is commonly referred to as Kinkaku-ji for this most famous structure. The building itself, also known as the Shariden ("relics hall"), is three stories tall, and is intended to serve chiefly as a pavilion from which to admire the garden, though it does contain religious sculpture. The first floor, constructed in the ''shinden-zukuri'' style and termed the Hôsui-in, contained spaces for receiving guests, including an exterior porch for accessing small boats, which one might row on the pond. The second story, constructed in a ''buke-zukuri'' style such as was used for samurai residences, is called Chôon-dô, and was intended for more private meetings, while the third floor, constructed in the ''karayô'' style typical of Zen temples, and called Kukkyô-chô, was for Yoshimitsu's personal private use. The structure contains lavish ceiling paintings and a famous statue of Yoshimitsu.

Following Yoshimitsu's death, in accordance with his wishes, the estate became a Buddhist temple; though the temple is more properly named Rokuon-ji, it is commonly referred to as Kinkaku-ji for this most famous structure. The building itself, also known as the Shariden ("relics hall"), is three stories tall, and is intended to serve chiefly as a pavilion from which to admire the garden, though it does contain religious sculpture. The first floor, constructed in the ''shinden-zukuri'' style and termed the Hôsui-in, contained spaces for receiving guests, including an exterior porch for accessing small boats, which one might row on the pond. The second story, constructed in a ''buke-zukuri'' style such as was used for samurai residences, is called Chôon-dô, and was intended for more private meetings, while the third floor, constructed in the ''karayô'' style typical of Zen temples, and called Kukkyô-chô, was for Yoshimitsu's personal private use. The structure contains lavish ceiling paintings and a famous statue of Yoshimitsu.