Ginkakuji, a Zen temple, was established in 1482 by Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the eighth Muromachi Shogunate.  Yoshimasa, following Kinkakuji Temple Kitayama den built by his grandfather Ahikaga Yoshimitsu, built villa Higashiyama den to spend his retired life.  Ginkakuji is the common name, and formally it was called Higashiyama Jishoji, taking after Yoshimasa's posthumous title after his death.

Higashiyama den is the place where Higashiyama culture formed mainly by Yoshimasa started, and is the start of modern life style of the Japanese.