Daikaku-ji temple in Sagano, Kyoto
Daikaku-ji temple was a 9th century detached palace of an emperor and was converted into a temple later. The oldest building of this temple probably dates back to 16th or 17th century. The big temple has excellent shoheki-ga, or fusuma-e paintings of which reproductions you can see in the buildings.
The large Osawa-no-ike pond is said to be the oldest garden pond in Japan and was used by emperors and nobles for boating. It was also a popular spot for viewing the moon.
Daikaku-ji is the head temple of Daikaku-ji sect of Shingon Buddhism. Shinden and Seishinden buildings of this temple are important cultural properties of Japan.
History
Daikaku-ji originally was a detached palace of Emperor Saga (786-842). His daughter, the Empress Dowager Seishi (810-879) asked Emperor Seiwa (850-880) and obtained permission to convert the palace into a temple. in the year 876. A grand son of Emperor Saga became the first chief priest.
This temple was used as a palace of Nancho, the Southern Dynasty, when the dynasty was divided into the Southern and the Northern Dynasties (1336-1392).
How to get to Daikaku-ji
- 13 to 19 minutes from Kyoto station to Saga-Arashiyama station on JR railway San'in Honsen line. Then 15 minutes on foot.
- 52 minutes from Kyoto station to Daikaku-ji on Kyoto City Bus No. 28 or Kyoto Bus No. 71 and 1 minute on foot. Both buses are bound for Daikaku-ji.
- 20 minutes on foot from Arashiyama station of Keifuku Railway Arashiyama Line.
Hours and Admission
9:00-16:30. The gate will be closed at 17:00.
All except those listed below: 500 yen
Schoolchildren and Junior High School Students (1st to 9th graders),
and High School Students: 300 yen
Children under school age: free
Common Ticket for Daikaku-ji and Gio-ji: 600 yen
Photos / Pictures
Click on a photo for a larger image.
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| So-mon gate used to stand here. March 9, 2008 |
Omote-mon, or the Front Gate. March 9, 2008 |
Shikidai Genkan, or the entrance hall of Shikidai. March 9, 2008 |
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| Inside of Shikidai Genkan. On the wall is a reproduction of shoheki-ga,
a painting that is said to be the work of Kano Eitoku (1543-1590). March 9, 2008 |
The front of Shinden building, an important cultural property. The floor
of the veranda is "uguisu-bari" that creaks by steps to warn
the persons inside of intruders. March 9, 2008 |
"Botan-no-Ma" or "Peony room" in the Shinden building.
On the sliding doors are reproductions of shoheki-ga paintings of peonies.
The original paintings, important cultural properties, were painted by
Kano Sanraku (1559-1635). March 9, 2008 |
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| Reproduction of Shoheki-ga in Yanagimatsu-no-ma (Willow-Pine room) of Shinden
building. The original painting, an important cultural property, was painted
by an unidentified painter close to Kano Sanraku March 9, 2008 |
Shoheki-ga in Kobai-no-ma (Red-Plum -Blossoms room) of Shinden building.
The original painting, an important cultural property, was painted by Kano Sanraku March 9, 2008 |
A side view of Shinden building that faces toward left of this photo. March 9, 2008 |
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| Mie-do hall, built in the year 1925. March 9, 2008 |
Gorei-den (Yasui-do) hall on the left and Godai-do (Hon-do) hall. In the
Gorei-den hall is a life-sized figure of Emperor Go-Mizunoo(1596-1680). March 9, 2008 |
Chokushi-mon, the gate of imperial messenger. This kara-mon style gate
was rebuilt sometime between 1848-1854. March 9, 2008 |
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| The belfry. March 9, 2008 |
The zigzag covered corridor named Murasame-no-Roka, or the Corridor of
Passing Shower. This is so called because the zigzag reminds one of a thunderbolt. March 9, 2008 |
Sho-Shinden building, an important cultural property. March 9, 2008 |
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| Murasame-no-Roka reaches Sho-Shinden. March 9, 2008 |
Back side of Shinden building looked from Sho-Shinden. Shoheki-ga is seen through the open window. March 9, 2008 |
Rooms of Sho-Shinden. The innermost room is where ex-Emperor Go-Uda administer
affairs of state. March 9, 2008 |
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| A painting on wooden sliding doors. March 9, 2008 |
A Chinese style painting on wooden sliding doors in Kenjin-no-ma (Room
of Sages) of Sho-Shinden building. March 9, 2008 |
Sho-Shinden building. March 9, 2008 |
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| Reimeiden. March 9, 2008 |
Reimeiden. March 9, 2008 |
Inside of Reimeiden. March 9, 2008 |
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| A garden and Kihinkan building. March 9, 2008 |
A stone bridge in front of Chokushi-mon. March 9, 2008 |
Gosha-myojin shrine. March 9, 2008 |
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| Shingyo-hoto (Tahoto), a reinforced concrete pagoda, built in1967. March 9, 2008 |
Student monks chanting sutra in the chilly air of autumn morning. They
walked and stopped in front of each building in the precinct of Daikaku-ji
and did the same thing. November 24, 2002 |
Goma-do. March 9, 2008 |
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| Stone Buddhist images. March 9, 2008 |
A path of autumn leaves beside Osawa-no-ike pond that is close to Daikaku-ji. November 24, 2002 |
Remains of Nakoso-no-taki falls. March 9, 2008 |
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| Buildings of Daikaku-ji looked over Osawa-no-ike pond. March 9, 2008 |
The pagoda looked over Osawa-no-ike pond. March 9, 2008 |
Pleasure boats on Osawa-no-ike pond. November 24, 2002 |