Daikaku-ji Temple — Attraction in Kyoto

Daikaku-ji temple was a 9th century detached palace of an emperor and was later converted into a temple. 大覚寺は９世紀の皇室の宮殿として建てられて後にお寺に改造されました Daikaku-ji originally was a detached palace of Emperor Saga (786-842). A grand son of Emperor Saga became the first chief priest. This temple was used as a palace of Southern Dynasty, when the dynasty was divided into the Southern and the Northern Dynasties (1336-1392). 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 ( paintings on sliding doors ) of which reproductions you can see in the buildings. 一番古い建物は・・・から存在していて、建物の中には時代を再現する・・・があります 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. 　日本で最も古い庭園の池で天皇や貴族がボートを漕ぐのに利用してました 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. 　お寺の神殿や清神殿は日本の重要文化財です One of Daikakuji's most important treasures is a copy of the Heart Sutra which was handwritten by Emperor Saga at the instruction of Kobo Daishi ( Kukai ). 弘法大師の指導のもとで嵯峨天皇が手書きで書いた・・・の複写 The sutra supposedly ended a mysterious plague that was sweeping the country during the Heian Period. It is kept in the octagonal Heart Sutra Hall and exhibited to the public once every 60 years. ( Trans-word+...

As attractive as it gets! Ancient temple with beautiful architecture and design. Everything is made up of wood. They charge 1000￥ as an entry ticket which is for the maintenance I feel. And the staff have maintained the the temple very well. They can speak little bit of English. You have to leave your shoes or sleepers at entrance and wear the sandals given by temple authority. There is a character writing class in the temple which you can experience for ￥1000. They have restrooms for men and women inside also for emergencies. There is a beautiful lake beside the temple where you can relax a bit before moving on to different spot. There is a bus stop in front of temple where you can catch the bus to reach an JR station. Only bus number 91 runs on this route. I feel it is like an residential area. I couldn't find any restaurant or eatery shop surrounding the temple . I would recommend this if you love exploring...

I've been there in November 2018 and was impressed by its beauty, peaceful atmosphere and the wonderful traditional architecture. Also the garden with its lake is wonderful. The staff were also really friendly and helpful and due to my little knowledge of Japanese, I was allowed to enter a special event which was restricted for tourists. I was able to see the old, magnificent scroll of its former emperor which get shown to religious Japanese people only every 60 years. I also received the blessing of a monk and I would never forget those special experience in my life...