Daitoku-ji Temple
Daitoku-ji Temple
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The Daitoku-ji complex of Zen Buddhism consists of 24 temples,including Daisen-in and Ryogen-in.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Neighbourhood: Northern Kyoto
Hot springs and historic temples characterize the leafy landscapes of Northern Kyoto. Acres of tranquil residential streets are interrupted by some of Kyoto's most gorgeous architectural gems, including the majestic Golden Pavilion of Kinkakuji, the serene artistry of the Ryoanji Temple rock gardens, and the bold red paint across the structures of Enryakuji Temple. Once a religious core of the city, the district now boasts some of its most remote and peaceful hot springs, as well as a few of its best family-run mom-and-pop restaurants. A blend of extremely local at its outskirts, and highly peopled at its tourist centers, Northern Kyoto nonetheless retains a halcyon air in harmony with nature.
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- tim r137 contributionsExquisite gravel gardensThis is large collection of quite small temples. The attractions for us were the temple gardens, particularly the kare-sensui ( raked gravel). Word of advice - don't try to do too much, because: a) each temple has a separate admission charge; and b) it's much nicer to sit and comtemplate one garden for half an hour than charge around ticking them off. Spending longer also has the advantage that you should get a few moments without someone talking at the top of their voice, or a tour guide.Visited April 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 6 October 2023
- loulou089458 contributionsWonderful peaceAfter battling with the crowds of the Golden Pavilion we decided to visit this group of temples. 24 in all, not all of them are open but you can see about 4 or 5 and buy a multi ticket which is cheaper. The gardens are so beautiful with all the moss and the zen gardens with their stories. Very enjoyable and so peaceful. Lovely cafe by the entrance cafe du mon.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 24 October 2023
- hfot2 🌸🍁🌸Vermont7,604 contributionsZen peaceIf you want to get away from the crowds at many of Kyoto’s other temples, this is certainly the place to find peace and quiet. The walls around the large temple grounds are a boundary keeping the external world out and keeping the peace of the Zen world within. You can easily spend half a day here wandering the paths, looking in the large temple buildings and visiting several of the sub-temples that are open to the public. Because this was sakura season, at least one of the sub-temples, which is usually closed to visitors, had a special exhibition for the season. We happened to be there on the day of the funeral for one of the head monks. During the ceremony, we could hear the chanting as we walked along the paths, adding to the peaceful nature of the place. Then we came upon rows and rows of monks in full regalia bowing somberly as the ashes were transferred to the hearse which was then driven through the complex. This very special moment added immeasurably to our visit. Be sure to check the rules before you pay the fee at any of the sub-temples; Daisenin, for example, does not allow photography. Our visit in March of 2023 was our third time to Daitokuji and I'm certain it won't be our last.Visited March 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 14 January 2024
- Jeff KPittsburgh, Pennsylvania2,353 contributionsImpressive + OverlookedThis temple isn’t on the short list of “must see” sights for Kyoto but my wife and I were impressed with it. It’s very peaceful with nice grounds. You pay separate admission fees for some of the sub-temples. We toured one which was very interesting and well maintained. We walked from here to the Golden Pavillion in about 20 minutes and then to Ryoanji Temple in another 20 minute walk. Visiting the three together made for a nice afternoon, Recommended.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 24 March 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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loulou089
england458 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
After battling with the crowds of the Golden Pavilion we decided to visit this group of temples. 24 in all, not all of them are open but you can see about 4 or 5 and buy a multi ticket which is cheaper. The gardens are so beautiful with all the moss and the zen gardens with their stories. Very enjoyable and so peaceful. Lovely cafe by the entrance cafe du mon.
Written 24 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
YUMEMIKU
Kyoto, Japan1,265 contributions
Dec 2023 • Friends
On this day, I visited Gyokurin-in Temple, located at the western end of the grounds, where my master was the host for a Rikyu memorial tea ceremony. It was a lovely Indian summer day, with a well-maintained garden and beautiful autumn leaves. It seems that tea ceremony utensils made from 400-year-old antique wood are also sold about once a month.
Written 18 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tim r
Worcester137 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
This is large collection of quite small temples. The attractions for us were the temple gardens, particularly the kare-sensui ( raked gravel). Word of advice - don't try to do too much, because: a) each temple has a separate admission charge; and b) it's much nicer to sit and comtemplate one garden for half an hour than charge around ticking them off. Spending longer also has the advantage that you should get a few moments without someone talking at the top of their voice, or a tour guide.
Written 6 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff K
Pittsburgh, PA2,353 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
This temple isn’t on the short list of “must see” sights for Kyoto but my wife and I were impressed with it. It’s very peaceful with nice grounds. You pay separate admission fees for some of the sub-temples. We toured one which was very interesting and well maintained.
We walked from here to the Golden Pavillion in about 20 minutes and then to Ryoanji Temple in another 20 minute walk. Visiting the three together made for a nice afternoon,
Recommended.
We walked from here to the Golden Pavillion in about 20 minutes and then to Ryoanji Temple in another 20 minute walk. Visiting the three together made for a nice afternoon,
Recommended.
Written 24 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
johnandlizb
Leamington Spa, UK989 contributions
Feb 2020
There are beautiful walkways and buildings here and some are open to the public. We went into one and had a look at the 5 little gardens. Mostly raked gravel with some lovely moss and plants. I find them peaceful and pretty and it was relatively quiet too. Really enjoyed it. It was quite small but well worth the visit.
Written 29 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christopher Fowler
204 contributions
Feb 2020
The Daitoku-ji Temple has a fantastic zen rock garden that is overshadowed by the amazing Emperor's gate. Walk in to the sub-temple and enjoy the roof paintings of the dragon and phoenix. And if you're good at following instructions then you may hear the dragon roar.
Written 25 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hubilie
418 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
5 points for Huangmeiyuan in Daitokuji Temple, which is a limited-time attraction. The entire Huangmeiyuan is a large dry landscape, dotted with various strange stones, teahouses, and courtyards hidden in it, quiet and exquisite. Walking through the green shade and light, there is no heat at all.
The ticket is 800 yen, but I think it is worth it.
The ticket is 800 yen, but I think it is worth it.
Written 1 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve C
Canton of Vaud, Switzerland331 contributions
Daitoku-ji is a large Buddhist temple complex in the north west of Kyoto and sits on one of the Raku bus routes and so is easily reached. It is also close to Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Temple), it's only a 15 minute walk between the two along a main road, or again the Raku bus connects the two.
The complex houses 24 sub-temples only a few of which are open to the public. During my week long visit to Kyoto in November 2007 I took the opportunity to visit two of them; Zuiho-in and Daisen-in.
Both of these sub-temples are linked to the Zen Buddhist sect and both have impressive and very different rock gardens.
Zuiho-in is small and sits within a small enclosure. One enters the gate into the small garden which one winds through to the entrance, where, after paying a small fee and removing your shoes, you may enter the temple proper. After walking through the temple, along highly polished wooden floors and passed shoji (paper lattice) walls you come to a viewing platform over the rock garden. This is a very striking and dynamic garden, which was constructed in the 1960's. The garden is a mix of aggresive gravel waves, moss and rock steps and bridges.
Daisen-in, which I visited twice during the week, has a garden that rivals, yet is very different to, that of Ryoan-ji. Again one enters the temple enclosure, removing your shoes before going to the reception to pay a small fee. It's at this point you are informed in a firm polite way, that no photographs are allowed.
The garden circles the main house appears to reflect a rivers journey from the mountains down to the sea. The garden is therefore compartmentalised, with different designs and symbolism in each of the small areas. Until you come to the main gravel sea. Unlike Ryoan-ji, this garden area has no symbolic rocks standing proud amidst the gravel. This garden is sparse, surrounded by a low hedge on two sides and the viewing platform on one other, the garden is wide and flat with intricate rake marks on the gravel. Two large cone-mounds stand alone in one quadrant and in one corner stands a lone tree.
I sat for an eternity gazing at this rock sea, untroubled by other people as the temple was quiet. Occasionaly the laughter of a monk as he gave a guided tour to a small group would echo through the building. I just sat and stared and let my mind roam and wander. Until I saw a tiny brown mushroom growing out of the top of one of the gravel ridges, which then raised a question, which stays with me "why the mushroom". Not quite a classical Zen koan, but for me it works.....
The temple does have a small gift shop which sells calligraphy and photo's of the garden. On both occasions the Abbott, Soen Ozeki, was present. I purchased some calligraphy which he had penned which he then kindly signed, also writing my own name on the wrapping in Japanese characters. I also took the opportunity to have a cup of cha in the temple, sat on a warmed floor in a small room, overlooking a small section of garden. The kettle was heated in a large metal bowl full of hot ash and after the water had been added to the green tea powder a whisk was used to give it it frothy texture. A tart, exhilarating drink that ended my visit to the temple perfectly.
The temple provides a strange mix of spirituality and commercialism, a mix which strangely seems to work under the eye of the Abbott.
The complex houses 24 sub-temples only a few of which are open to the public. During my week long visit to Kyoto in November 2007 I took the opportunity to visit two of them; Zuiho-in and Daisen-in.
Both of these sub-temples are linked to the Zen Buddhist sect and both have impressive and very different rock gardens.
Zuiho-in is small and sits within a small enclosure. One enters the gate into the small garden which one winds through to the entrance, where, after paying a small fee and removing your shoes, you may enter the temple proper. After walking through the temple, along highly polished wooden floors and passed shoji (paper lattice) walls you come to a viewing platform over the rock garden. This is a very striking and dynamic garden, which was constructed in the 1960's. The garden is a mix of aggresive gravel waves, moss and rock steps and bridges.
Daisen-in, which I visited twice during the week, has a garden that rivals, yet is very different to, that of Ryoan-ji. Again one enters the temple enclosure, removing your shoes before going to the reception to pay a small fee. It's at this point you are informed in a firm polite way, that no photographs are allowed.
The garden circles the main house appears to reflect a rivers journey from the mountains down to the sea. The garden is therefore compartmentalised, with different designs and symbolism in each of the small areas. Until you come to the main gravel sea. Unlike Ryoan-ji, this garden area has no symbolic rocks standing proud amidst the gravel. This garden is sparse, surrounded by a low hedge on two sides and the viewing platform on one other, the garden is wide and flat with intricate rake marks on the gravel. Two large cone-mounds stand alone in one quadrant and in one corner stands a lone tree.
I sat for an eternity gazing at this rock sea, untroubled by other people as the temple was quiet. Occasionaly the laughter of a monk as he gave a guided tour to a small group would echo through the building. I just sat and stared and let my mind roam and wander. Until I saw a tiny brown mushroom growing out of the top of one of the gravel ridges, which then raised a question, which stays with me "why the mushroom". Not quite a classical Zen koan, but for me it works.....
The temple does have a small gift shop which sells calligraphy and photo's of the garden. On both occasions the Abbott, Soen Ozeki, was present. I purchased some calligraphy which he had penned which he then kindly signed, also writing my own name on the wrapping in Japanese characters. I also took the opportunity to have a cup of cha in the temple, sat on a warmed floor in a small room, overlooking a small section of garden. The kettle was heated in a large metal bowl full of hot ash and after the water had been added to the green tea powder a whisk was used to give it it frothy texture. A tart, exhilarating drink that ended my visit to the temple perfectly.
The temple provides a strange mix of spirituality and commercialism, a mix which strangely seems to work under the eye of the Abbott.
Written 31 January 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CatherineBulg
Moscow, Russia161 contributions
Feb 2019 • Friends
You can easily combine a visit to this temple complex with Nijo palace, Kinkaku-ji and Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, since they are all situated on the same bus line). Daitoku-ji is a Buddhist monastery with more than 20 temples. Usually it’s possible to visit four of them (entries are payable and cost about 200-400 yen each). Even if one of these four temples is temporarily closed to the public, they usually open another one as a special event.
I should say, that all these temples are of a modest scale, so to really appreciate there wooden galleries and stone gardens, it’s better to visit them in a small group. Let the crowds invade the Golden pavilion, and take your time enjoying calm atmosphere in Daitoku-ji. It’s not a place to see in a rush, for sure, but, understanding it, you won’t be disappointed). By the way, the opening time is limited, some temples are closing at 4 p.m., so I would recommend to come there in the morning.
Besides, after a stroll among many different temples, you can turn to the left and take an alley that will lead you outside through the bamboo grove. At the end of the alley, go up the road and you’ll see the red gates of the Imamiya Shrine. It’s really worth a visit too, as well as famous Abura Mochi shops (tea and traditional mochi desserts) on it’s right! A nice plan for a day in real, not so touristy, Kyoto, don’t you think?!
I should say, that all these temples are of a modest scale, so to really appreciate there wooden galleries and stone gardens, it’s better to visit them in a small group. Let the crowds invade the Golden pavilion, and take your time enjoying calm atmosphere in Daitoku-ji. It’s not a place to see in a rush, for sure, but, understanding it, you won’t be disappointed). By the way, the opening time is limited, some temples are closing at 4 p.m., so I would recommend to come there in the morning.
Besides, after a stroll among many different temples, you can turn to the left and take an alley that will lead you outside through the bamboo grove. At the end of the alley, go up the road and you’ll see the red gates of the Imamiya Shrine. It’s really worth a visit too, as well as famous Abura Mochi shops (tea and traditional mochi desserts) on it’s right! A nice plan for a day in real, not so touristy, Kyoto, don’t you think?!
Written 27 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John C
Vancouver, Canada224 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
I'm not sure why this complex of temples is so far down the list of Kyoto attractions. The gardens are just sublime. There is an Info sheet in English for each. Usually, only four temples are open to the public, with a charge of ¥350 or ¥400 each. We visited three, all of which had different and wonderful Zen gardens (both stone and green). It was mid-winter, with hardly any other visitors. The calm emanating from the simple rooms and incredibly understated (but dripping with Zen meaning) gardens was indescribable. I guess that's The thing about Zen.
It's an easy 15 minute walk west from the Kitaoji subway station (K-04), and there is a cute coffee shop (Café du Mon) right across from the main entrance with expensive coffee but delicious pastries.
It's an easy 15 minute walk west from the Kitaoji subway station (K-04), and there is a cute coffee shop (Café du Mon) right across from the main entrance with expensive coffee but delicious pastries.
Written 9 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'm looking for the opening hours but cannot find them. Anyone has them? Arigato! :)
Written 3 December 2017
Dear my friend,
Basically 0930- 1600. Same as most of KYOTO temples.
But remember two things.
Daitokuji-main complex is only able to see few times for a year. You better check the schedule.
And Daitokuji contain many smaller temples those are called Tacchuu. Many tacchuu is able to visit all season. And they are good. I believe better than main complex.
My favorite is Koutou-in temple.
Written 4 December 2017
Quanto tempo ci vuole per visitarlo?
How long does it take to visit it？
Written 18 February 2015
There are many kinds of small temples in Daitokuji.
Each buildings and gardens have different tastes.
If you go there in October,November,you'd spend all day!
Written 16 July 2016
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