Daitoku-ji
大徳寺
The head temple of the Daitoku-ji branch of the Rinzai school. More than twenty subtemples are scattered throughout its grounds, including Daisen-in and other dry landscape gardens with deep ties to the tea ceremony.
Daitoku-ji was founded in 1315. Ikkyu Sojun once served as its abbot, and Sen no Rikyu practiced Zen here and funded the two-story Kinmei-kaku on the Sanmon gate. It is an important temple in the history of Japanese tea culture. Within its vast precinct are more than twenty subtemples. Those open year-round include Daisen-in, a famous dry landscape garden that expresses the flow of mountains and water in a small space; Ryogen-in; Zuiho-in; and Oubai-in. Most of the others open only for special viewings in spring and autumn. Kōtō-in, which is quite popular, has been closed to visitors for a long time in recent years. Strolling the temple grounds is free, while each subtemple charges separately, about 400 to 800 yen. Outside the precinct, the grilled rice cake (Aburi-mochi) sold on the approach to Imamiya Shrine is a longtime local confection. Getting there: take a city bus and get off at Daitokuji-mae, which is right there.
Opening hours
Grounds open all day; sub-temples approx. 09:00–16:30 (varies)
Nearby sights
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
- Kamigamo Shrine
- Kitano Tenmangu
- Kyoto Imperial Palace
- Shimogamo Shrine
- Ryoan-ji
- Nijo Castle
- Ninna-ji