Daikaku-ji Temple
Originally created by Emperor Saga as a villa in the ninth century, Daikaku-ji Temple is also referred to as the Saga Imperial Palace. Although the current appearance of the temple was set around a century ago, many fine examples of architecture with the Heian atmosphere remain, including Shin-den and Shoshin-den. Osawa Pond on the east side of the grounds is known as one of the three great moon-viewing locations in Japan.
The front entrance to Daikaku-ji Temple has the resemblance of a samurai house, and the area is sometimes used for filming period dramas. The ume (plum) and sakura (cherry blossom) trees that line the perimeter of Osawa Pond are famed for their beautiful colors, and every November, the Saga Chrysanthemum Festival is held here.
Daikaku-ji Buddhist Temple in Kyoto, Japan
Open hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Admission ends 30 minutes before closing time.)
Admission:
- Adults: 500 yen
- Elementary, junior high and high school students: 300 yen
Address: 4 Sagaosawa-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto > Map
URL: http://www.daikakuji.or.jp/english/
Phone: +81-(0)75-871-0071
Access:
- 20-minute walk from Randen Saga Station on Keifuku Electric Railroad (Arashiyama Electric Tram Railway)
- 15-minute walk from Saga-Arashiyama Station on the JR San’in Main Line (Sagano Line)
