Daikakuji Temple, located in Okusaga, Kyoto, is a temple with ties to the Imperial family and boasts a history of 1,200 years.
It was built as a villa for Emperor Saga in the early Heian period, and is also a historic site where Kobo Daishi, or Kukai, performed religious practices.
The temple has beautiful imperial-style buildings, and the grounds are home to many highlights that bring together the best of history and culture, including the Shinden Hall, which features gorgeous sliding screen paintings by Kano Sanraku, and Osawa Pond, Japan’s oldest man-made garden.
Daikakuji Temple, which still conveys its deep connection with the Imperial family, is a rare temple where you can experience Japanese beauty and spirituality that has been passed down through the ages.
In this article, we will look at the history and highlights of Daikakuji Temple.
What kind of place is Daikakuji Temple?
Daikakuji Temple is the head temple of the Daikakuji school of Shingon Buddhism, located in Okusaga, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City.
It was built as a villa for Emperor Saga in the early Heian period, and became a temple in 876.
The grounds are lined with imperial-style temple buildings, and the Shinden Hall, an Important Cultural Property, in particular, is home to gorgeous sliding screen paintings by the artist Kano Sanraku.
Osawa Pond, which spreads out on the east side, is Japan’s oldest artificial garden, commissioned by Emperor Saga to model its gardens after Lake Dongting in China . It boasts a picturesque landscape with approximately 700 cherry trees and maples planted .
It is also known as the historic place where Kobo Daishi Kukai performed his religious training, and it attracts many believers as the main training center for copying the Heart Sutra.
Until the early Meiji period, it was a prestigious temple with over 1,200 years of history, with successive emperors and members of the imperial family serving as its chief priests .
History of Daikakuji Temple
In this chapter, we will introduce the history of Daikakuji Temple.
Let’s explore the history of this head temple of the Daikakuji school of Shingon Buddhism, which attracts the faith of many people.
From Emperor Saga’s villa to a temple
In the early Heian period, Emperor Saga built a villa called Sagain in the Sagano area.
The origins of Daikakuji Temple date back to when Kobo Daishi Kukai built Gokakuin, a Buddhist temple that houses the Five Great Wisdom Kings, within his villa and performed religious rituals there .
In 818, there was a great famine, but it is said that the epidemic was cured when Emperor Saga, at the urging of Kukai, copied out the Heart Sutra.
After the death of Emperor Saga in 842, his daughter, Princess Masako, converted the villa into a temple in 876, and Daikakuji Temple was founded with Prince Kojaku Nyudo, the son of Emperor Junna, as its founder.
Political stage of the Northern and Southern Courts period
In the late Kamakura period, in 1268, Emperor Gosaga became a monk and head priest of Daikakuji Temple, and the fortunes of the temple once again began to rise.
Emperor Gouda also became the head priest of the temple in 1307 and carried out a full-scale restoration of Daikakuji Temple.
The lineage of Emperor Kameyama was called the “Daikakuji line,” and the conflict with the “Jimyoin line” of Emperor Gofukakusa led to the division of the Northern and Southern Courts period.
In 1392, Emperor Gokameyama of the Southern Court handed over the Three Sacred Treasures to Emperor Gokomatsu of the Northern Court at Daikakuji Temple, marking the historic occasion of the unification of the Northern and Southern Courts .
Deep ties to the Imperial family
In the early Edo period, the younger brother of Emperor Goyozei became the head priest and the temple’s revival began.
The existing Important Cultural Property, the Seiden Hall and the sliding door paintings by Sanraku Kano, were restored during this period.
Throughout the Edo period, princes and princesses continued to enter the temple, and it established its position as one of Kyoto’s leading monzeki temples.
It is a prestigious temple with over 1,200 years of history, with successive emperors and members of the imperial family serving as its chief priests until the early Meiji period.
Highlights of Daikakuji Temple
There are several must-see sights at Daikakuji Temple.
In this chapter, we will introduce three of its highlights.
- Japan’s oldest artificial garden: Osawa Pond
- The Shinden Hall and the sliding screen paintings, both important cultural properties
- The Five Great Kings and the Sutra Shaking Training Center
Japan’s oldest artificial garden: Osawa Pond
Osawa Pond is the oldest artificial garden in Japan, built by Emperor Saga in imitation of Lake Dongting in China.
Approximately 700 cherry trees and maple trees are planted around the pond, which stretches for about 1 km , allowing you to enjoy beautiful scenery throughout the seasons.
In particular, during the harvest moon season, the “Moon Viewing Evening” event is held, and the area is known as one of Japan’s three best spots for viewing the harvest moon.
On the banks of the pond are the Bountei teahouse, the Heart Sutra pagoda, stone Buddha statues, and the remains of Nakoso Falls, and the area is a nationally designated scenic spot.
The Shinden Hall and the sliding screen paintings, both important cultural properties
The Shinden building was bestowed by Emperor Gomizunoo and is a shoin-style building constructed during the Momoyama period.
The interior is divided into 12 rooms of various sizes, and approximately 240 gorgeous sliding screen paintings, including “Peonies” and “Red Plum Blossoms” by Kano Sanraku, remain.
In particular, the “Gokanmuri no Ma” is the place where Emperor Go-Uda ruled from behind the scenes, and is a historic space where the Northern and Southern Courts peace treaty was held.
The Five Great Kings and the Sutra Shaking Training Center
The Godaido Hall, the main hall of Daikakuji Temple, houses the Five Great Wisdom Kings, centered around Acala.
It is also known as the main training center for copying the Heart Sutra, and has been the center of Heart Sutra faith since the time of Emperor Saga.
In particular, the Heart Sutra written by successive emperors is enshrined in the Heart Sutra Hall as an imperial seal and is a valuable cultural asset that is only opened once every 60 years.
What is the best season to visit Daikakuji Temple?
Daikakuji Temple is a temple where you can enjoy the beauty of every season, with each season offering different charms.
About 150 plum trees bloom in full glory from early to mid-March, and about 500 cherry trees decorate the area around Osawa Pond from late March to early April.
Water lilies will be in full bloom in Osawa Pond from mid-May to late July, and ancient lotus flowers will be in full bloom from mid-July to mid-August.
It is especially worth seeing during the autumn foliage season from mid-November to mid-December.
The sight of the autumn leaves planted around Osawa Pond reflected on its surface is a spectacular sight, and the pond is also specially lit up at night.
The snowy winter scenery is also picturesque, allowing you to experience the unique atmosphere of Sagano.
This is a temple that can be enjoyed all year round, but is especially recommended during the cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons.
Access to Daikakuji Temple
Daikakuji Temple is located in Saga-Osawa-cho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, and can be accessed by several means, including city buses and trains.
The optimal means of transportation varies depending on the tourist season and time of day, so you can choose according to your purpose.
Access from Kyoto Station
If you take the train, take the JR Sagano Line (Sanin Main Line) to Saga-Arashiyama Station (approx. 16 minutes), then walk for about 20 minutes.
If you take the bus, take city bus number 28 from Kyoto Station and get off at the Daikakuji bus stop. The journey takes about 55 minutes.
Although the train journey takes less time, you will have to walk from the nearest station.
Access from Kinkakuji Temple
Take city bus number 91, change at Nishinokyo Marumachi and take city bus number 204 or 205.
The journey takes approximately 40 minutes, including transfer time.
Roads will be congested during the tourist season, so we recommend you plan your travels well in advance.
Daikakuji Temple admission fees and opening hours
Basic information about Daikakuji Temple is summarized in the table below.
| item | Contents |
|---|---|
| location | Kyoto City Ukyo Ward Saga Osawacho 4 |
| Visiting hours | Temple grounds: 6:30-17:30 (6:00-17:30 in summer) |
| Admission fee | Temple grounds: Free Three-museum combined ticket (Oiden, Kamosha Museum, Kawai Shrine Museum): 500 yen |
| Business hours | Museum etc.: 10:00-16:00 |
| parking | West Parking Lot: 300 cars (paid) |
| Estimated travel time | 60-90 minutes |
Recommended spots around Daikakuji Temple
There are also several recommended spots around Daikakuji Temple.
In this chapter, we will introduce the spots you should definitely visit when you come to Daikakuji Temple.
Tenryu-ji Temple
This World Heritage temple is located about a 29-minute walk from Daikakuji Temple.
It is the head temple of the Tenryu-ji school of the Rinzai sect of Buddhism and was founded by Ashikaga Takauji to commemorate the soul of Emperor Godaigo.
The Sogenchi Garden, said to have been designed by Muso Kokushi, is a stroll-style garden that makes use of the backdrop of Arashiyama and Ogurayama, allowing visitors to enjoy the beauty of the four seasons.
Jojakkoji Temple
This is a famous temple located about a 26-minute walk from Daikakuji Temple.
Located on the mountainside of Mt. Ogura, it is known as a rare temple without a moat.
It is especially spectacular in the autumn when the leaves change color. The approach to the temple from the Sanmon Gate to the Niomon Gate is known as the “Tunnel of Autumn Leaves,” and it is one of Kyoto’s leading spots for viewing autumn leaves, attracting many photographers.
Directly Operated
This temple is located about a 12-minute walk from Daikakuji Temple.
You can spend some relaxing time here in a quiet and dignified atmosphere.
Many people visit the temple together with Daikakuji Temple, and it is known as a hidden gem of Sagano.
FAQs about Daikakuji Temple
summary
Daikakuji Temple, located in Okusaga, Kyoto, is a historic temple built as a villa for Emperor Saga in the early Heian period.
It has a history of over 1,200 years and continues to have deep ties with the Imperial family.
Within the temple grounds, there are many things to see, including the Shinden Hall, an Important Cultural Property, and Osawa Pond, Japan’s oldest man-made garden.
You can enjoy beautiful scenery in every season, and it is especially crowded with tourists during the cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons.
It is also known as the main training center for copying the Heart Sutra, and it is possible to experience copying the sutra here.
There are famous temples such as Tenryu-ji Temple and Jojakko-ji Temple in the surrounding area, so you can fully enjoy the atmosphere of Sagano.
If you visit Kyoto, be sure to stop by.
