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Daigo-ji Temple
Founded in 874, Daigo-ji Temple is one of Kyoto's most scenic religious sites. The hillside temple grounds make it a prime spot for cherry blossom and fall foliage, and its traditional buildings add to the rustic charm of the landscape. The main temple grounds are located is at the foot of the mountain and is connected to several other temple buildings around the summit via a hiking trail.
The Daigo-ji also plays an important role in the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. Its main buildings are home to dozens of valuable cultural artifacts, which has resulted in the Daigo-ji Temple being named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The main area of the temple is home to the Reihokan Museum, which preserves and exhibits the temple's vast collection of historical documents and art objects, including statues and paintings.
Overview
Address
22 Daigo-Higash-oji-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto City (Map) (Directions)Hours
9:00 - 16:30 Closed nowOpening Hours
Monday
9:00 - 16:30
Tuesday
9:00 - 16:30
Wednesday
9:00 - 16:30
Thursday
9:00 - 16:30
Friday
9:00 - 16:30
Saturday
9:00 - 16:30
Sunday
9:00 - 16:30
Holidays
9:00 - 16:30
Website
Highlights
Sanboin
Sanboin Temple is perhaps most well-known for being the building that Toyotomi Hideyoshi helped reconstruct back in 1598. It was the main building on the temple grounds, used to host the feudal archbishops back in the past. Sanboin’s exquisite Japanese garden is a prime example of Momoyama-period architecture. The building itself also hosts multiple National Treasures and Important Cultural Assets.
Pagoda
Constructed in the year 951, Goju-no-to is one of Kyoto’s oldest national treasures. The pagoda is also revered for being the oldest building that remained after the Onin War in the 1400s. It was originally built by Emperor Suzaku, the oldest son of Emperor Daigo, to serve as a resting place for Emperor Daigo’s soul.
Weeping Cherry
Daigo-ji is one of the best places in Kyoto to view the cherry blossoms, much like how Toyotomi Hideyoshi did back in the 16th century. Approximately 1,000 cherry blossom trees were planted across the temple grounds, with the most impressive being the weeping cherry tree standing outside the Reihokan Museum. It was said that Toyotomi Hideyoshi planted 700 of these trees in order to host his famous hanami party and procession, in which a similar event is now held annually to commemorate and honor his contributions.
General Amenities
- Information Counter
- Prayer rooms
What's unique
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
Access
10-minute walk from Daigo Station on the Tozai Subway Line
Keihan Express Bus to “Daigo -ji” bus stop(from JR Kyoto Station, Hachijoguchi Bus Stop) or to “Daigo -ji mae” bus stop (from JR Yamashina Station and Rokujizo Station on the Keihan Railway)
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