Kinkakuji(Rokuonji) temple is well known for its golden feature besides pond in Kyoto. It is covering with gold foil except roof. Kinkakuji means gold palace temple.(Rokuonji means crying deer garden temple)
1224, a temlpe was build there, then, it was not gold. 1397, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu who is Shogun of 3rd Muromachi Shogunate repaired the ruined temple as his mansion and became central of politics. After his death, by his will, the mansion bacame Zen temple.
After that some big wars burned co structions around Kinkaku temple, but it was safety.
But 1950, Kinkaku was set fire and lost. It is said that the criminal hated Kinkaku bacause it shines luxury in spite of many people were suffering from hunger and poor.
Now Kinkaku temple was rebuilt in 1955.
Inner of Kinkaku is also covered with gold foil. On the other hand, it is very simple structure as Zen style. Zen regard frugal as the best but Yoshimitsu used many gold to show his political and financial power.
The winter Kinkaku covered with snow also beautiful
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frNlB0-bkgg&feature=related
1490, Ashikaga Yoshimasa who is grandchild of Yoshimitsu built Ginkakuji temple.(Jisyoji temple) Ginkaku means silver palace temple(Jisyoji means shining of love temple)
But Ginkaku was not used silver.Yoshimasa wants Ginkaku cover with silver like his grandfather. But then was just after a big war that burnd most lands of Kyoto. So he wasn't afford to obtain silver.
As irony, Ginkaku was surnived without any fire, war, and disaaster. And many authorities and temple fans prefer Ginkaku as beautiful than Kinkaku.
The inner of Ginkaku also very simple style as Zen style.
Both of them will be worth visiting. But The distance of them are far. So if you go, you should divide your schedule into 2days.