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Daigo-ji

京都府

general.prefecture.

A temple that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also known as a famous cherry blossom spot.

The head temple of the Shingon sect Daigo school, which is registered as a World Heritage Site. Within the vast grounds of over 2 million tsubo, there are 75,522 national treasures and 425 important cultural properties enshrined. If you want to experience the magnificent nature and historical buildings, come and visit.

Features & How to Enjoy

Classic History

Highlights

Point 1

"Flower Viewing at Daigo"

Daigo-ji Temple has long been known as a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing. Around 700 cherry trees of various types, including weeping cherry, Somei Yoshino, mountain cherry, and double-flowered cherry, are planted and color the temple every spring. Once upon a time, Toyotomi Hideyoshi fell in love with the scenery and held a grand cherry blossom viewing party called "Daigo no Hanami". In honor of this, the "Toyotomi Hideyoshi Cherry Blossom Viewing Parade" is held every year on the second Sunday of April. It's a breathtaking view that is worth seeing at least once in a lifetime.

Point 2

Kyoto's Oldest Five-Story Pagoda

The five-story pagoda at Daigoji Temple, built during the reign of Emperor Murakami in the late Heian period, is the oldest five-story pagoda in Kyoto and is also known as the oldest wooden structure in Kyoto. The entire tower is designated as a national treasure, but the mandala inside the tower is also highly valued as a Heian period painting, and it is considered to be of such value that it has been separately designated as a national treasure. On the monthly 29th memorial service, visitors who pay the admission fee and a 1000 yen fee for copying sutras can also visit the inside of the five-story pagoda from the outside.

Point 3

Sanbo-in, Associated with Toyotomi Hideyoshi

Sanbo-in is an important building within Daigo-ji Temple, serving as a main hall like the Honbo. The garden is known for being designed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi himself, with various features throughout the garden to showcase his power as the ruler of Japan. While the garden is open for viewing during regular periods, please note that the main hall of Sanbo-in, which features sliding door paintings by the Hasegawa school, can only be viewed during special visits.

Point 4

Over 75,000 National Treasures

Daigoji Temple, which has a history of over 1,100 years, has long focused on the preservation of wooden and paper culture. When it comes to wood, the five-story pagoda, which is the oldest wooden building in Kyoto, is symbolic. There are also many wooden Buddhist statues, such as the Yakushi Nyorai statue, which have had a significant influence on Buddhist art. The temple also houses many scrolls and other items, with over 75,000 designated as national treasures and over 400 designated as important cultural properties by the Japanese government.

Point 5

The Presence of Daigo Water

There is something called Daigo Water that is associated with the founding of Daigoji Temple. It is located in Kamidaigo, not Shimodaigo. Legend has it that during the Heian period, a monk who was walking on Mount Daigo encountered a mountain god, and when the god took a sip of the nearby spring water, he exclaimed, "This is the essence of flavor!" The term "daigo-mi" refers to a deep flavor and true enjoyment, and Daigo Water is truly a famous water that even the gods praised.

History

A Famous Temple with Over 1,100 Years of History

Daigoji Temple was established in the early Heian period as a huge temple with over 2 million tsubo of land in the southeast district of Heian-kyo. Due to its vast size, it was divided into two districts: Uedaigo and Shitaigo. The temple has deep ties to the imperial family, with Emperor Daigo making it his own prayer temple. It is also known for the grand cherry blossom viewing parties held by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, known as "Daigo no Hanami." In 1994, it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site, making it a prestigious and historic temple.

Access

Easy Access by Train!

Daigoji Temple has excellent access from Kyoto Station. Take the JR line to Yamashina Station, then transfer to the Kyoto Municipal Subway and ride to Daigo Station, which takes about 10 minutes. From Daigo Station, it's about a 10-minute walk to Daigoji Temple. Buses also run to Daigoji Temple, but the roads can get congested, so we recommend using the train for access. However, if you want to avoid transfers or walking between the station and Daigoji Temple, taking the bus is also an option!

Fee

Admission to Shimo-Daigo during regular hours is 1000 yen for adults

Daigo-ji Temple is divided into two parts, Ueda-Daigo and Shimo-Daigo, and the admission fees differ accordingly. During regular hours, admission to the Sanboin Garden and the Main Hall is 1000 yen for adults, 700 yen for middle and high school students, and free for elementary school students and younger. Please note that there is an additional fee for special visits to the Sanboin Palace and special exhibitions at the Reihokan Museum. Also, during the spring season when cherry blossoms are in bloom and during Golden Week, admission fees are higher than during regular hours. Ueda-Daigo also requires a separate admission fee, which is not included in the admission fee for Shimo-Daigo.

Basic Information

	Address	22 Daigo Higashioji-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 601-1325, Japan
	TEL	075-571-0002
	Web Site	https://www.daigoji.or.jp/?utm_source=googlemybusiness&utm_medium=cpv&utm_campaign=20190601

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