Daigo-ji Temple
Daigo-ji Temple
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
This temple complex includes several buildings and an expansive Japanese garden. One of the oldest structures in Kyoto is a five-story pagoda that can be found on the temple grounds.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Southern Kyoto
Southern Kyoto has a reserved air. Though the Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of Kyoto's major tourist attractions, the surrounding nature, parks, gardens, temples, and shrines provide less-visited spaces for strolling and reflection. The Fushimi Inari Shrine itself is made up of 32,000 sub-shrines, and the mountain they are dotted across beckons hikers, picnickers, and lovers of the outdoors. Many of the mountain's off-set paths aren't frequented by tourists, and the mountain's serenity can be enjoyed at a leisurely pace. Southern Kyoto is the place to enjoy being outside, and to pay your respects to the ancient architecture and gods of the land that are celebrated here.
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4.5
662 reviews
Excellent
349
Very good
215
Average
73
Poor
17
Terrible
8
Bash T
5 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
In searching for somewhere in Kyoto off the beaten track, this temple complex gets a number of mentions. Visited today (26/Sep/18). 15 mins walk from Daigo subway station.
Arrived to find out that the largest section (Shimo Daigo) is closed due to typhoon damage. Kami Daigo (hiking trail) is also closed. So it's effectively 800 yen to see a pleasing "zen garden" (the Sanboin). The museum is also open, but there's not much to see (worth a look, but it holds few items).
Not impressed by the communication. The temple website has news items throughout September, but nothing about limited visitor access. Having the ticket office confirm that we could not view the main hall, the pagoda or the Bentendo temple but that we still had to pay the full ticket price is the reason why I'm posting this review. Having made the effort to get there, I paid up but the garden alone is not worth the visit and from 15/Oct it will be 1500 yen to visit Daigo-ji.
Arrived to find out that the largest section (Shimo Daigo) is closed due to typhoon damage. Kami Daigo (hiking trail) is also closed. So it's effectively 800 yen to see a pleasing "zen garden" (the Sanboin). The museum is also open, but there's not much to see (worth a look, but it holds few items).
Not impressed by the communication. The temple website has news items throughout September, but nothing about limited visitor access. Having the ticket office confirm that we could not view the main hall, the pagoda or the Bentendo temple but that we still had to pay the full ticket price is the reason why I'm posting this review. Having made the effort to get there, I paid up but the garden alone is not worth the visit and from 15/Oct it will be 1500 yen to visit Daigo-ji.
Written 26 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Goingplaces98
Chino Hills, CA524 contributions
Nov 2014 • Couples
The small pagoda/pond/bridge (Bentendo hall) scene in autumn is perhaps the most beautiful place in the world, especially when there's very few people. It's a little out of the way, about 20-30 minutes by train from Kyoto, and another 30-40 minute walk, or 5-8 minute bus/cab ride from the local station. This reduces the crowds by a lot, even during the autumn weekends. We got here quite late, around 4pm, but that was a stunning time to visit, with not that many people around. The sunset gave beautiful colors to the leaves and the pagoda, and made beautiful music. This place in the fall should belong to anyone's bucket list, and definitely a must see place before you die. The entire scene is composed together perfectly, like a beautiful painting, but it's real. Any photo from almost any angle you take here will be beautiful.
There's several areas to this temple complex, but make sure you visit this particular spot, the Bentendo hall. Samboin is really beautiful too I heard, but since we arrived too late, we weren't able to visit. Also, no pictures allowed anywhere in Samboin, so that also helped the decision. Next time when we have a little more time I would visit the Samboin as well, with it's famed rock pond garden.
This is not even mentioning the rather large pagoda, or other beautiful halls, walkways, and even the mountain pathway to upper Daigoji. I'd imagine the locals making it an entire day out of this visit.
There's several areas to this temple complex, but make sure you visit this particular spot, the Bentendo hall. Samboin is really beautiful too I heard, but since we arrived too late, we weren't able to visit. Also, no pictures allowed anywhere in Samboin, so that also helped the decision. Next time when we have a little more time I would visit the Samboin as well, with it's famed rock pond garden.
This is not even mentioning the rather large pagoda, or other beautiful halls, walkways, and even the mountain pathway to upper Daigoji. I'd imagine the locals making it an entire day out of this visit.
Written 23 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara W
Utah394 contributions
Nov 2017 • Solo
There is a lot to see at Daigo-ji. The temple complex takes up a mountainside and you can see as much or little as you have time and inclination. Entrance fee for the lower section is 1500¥ during spring cherry blossom season and fall foliage viewing; otherwise, 800¥. But if you want to know what you are looking at, you'll need to prepare beforehand as there is very little information in English on site or in the brochure given to you with your ticket. Check the temple's website for maps and facts. The three maps cover the Sanboin, or residence of the head priest, Shimo-Daigo (lower Daigo) and Kami-Daigo (upper Daigo.) You should step into the Sanboin, but photography is not allowed. I happened to be at the temple when the Hondo was open, but there was an additional 500¥ charge to go beyond the Omote-Shoin. Don't agonize if you miss it.
The Shimo-Daigo is very pleasant to wander. I can only vouch that the fall foliage was beautiful, and the Bentendo was especially photogenic. The Goju-no-to (five story pagoda) was completed in 951 and is the oldest verified structure in Kyoto. There is an extra fee to hike up the mountain (Kami-daigo), but many of the most impressive images have been retrieved from the upper mountain and are now in the museum. I did not do the hike.
The museum in the Reihokan area had magnificent images brought down from the mountain - the Yakushi Sanzon statues and five great Wisdom Kings. This is the place I would have dearly loved to have had more information than the name of the image. Again, no photography.
Getting there usually involves transfers between trains and/or buses. There is an express bus that has no transfers, costs 300¥, and only takes 30 minutes from a stop near the Kyoto Train Station. But this site's quidelines won't let me share the results of an hour's worth of filtering bus routes and subway connections.
The Shimo-Daigo is very pleasant to wander. I can only vouch that the fall foliage was beautiful, and the Bentendo was especially photogenic. The Goju-no-to (five story pagoda) was completed in 951 and is the oldest verified structure in Kyoto. There is an extra fee to hike up the mountain (Kami-daigo), but many of the most impressive images have been retrieved from the upper mountain and are now in the museum. I did not do the hike.
The museum in the Reihokan area had magnificent images brought down from the mountain - the Yakushi Sanzon statues and five great Wisdom Kings. This is the place I would have dearly loved to have had more information than the name of the image. Again, no photography.
Getting there usually involves transfers between trains and/or buses. There is an express bus that has no transfers, costs 300¥, and only takes 30 minutes from a stop near the Kyoto Train Station. But this site's quidelines won't let me share the results of an hour's worth of filtering bus routes and subway connections.
Written 27 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jade C
Sherwood Park, Canada13 contributions
Sept 2015
Because this temple is off the beaten path there are automatically less people there which enables you to feel the peace and stillness of this temple. The buildings have been so well maintained considering they are over a thousand years old.
We went when it was a lightly rainy day, and very few people which was perfect.
Take the time to come here, but don't bike from kyoto like our party did haha, two hours mountain biking to get there.
We went when it was a lightly rainy day, and very few people which was perfect.
Take the time to come here, but don't bike from kyoto like our party did haha, two hours mountain biking to get there.
Written 9 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rimpsky
London, UK130 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
We spent 11 days in Kyoto and saw many temples in that time - all beautiful. This one, along with Zenrinji Eikan-do, was a particular favourite. It is harder to get to and attracts fewer tourists. The gardens literally took my breath away - photography is mostly not allowed and so probably helps to keep this place more of a 'secret'. Architecture is stunning too and includes a beautifully proportioned wooden pagoda. We stumbled on an unobtrusive, discreet but very attractive low building in the upper gardens which we discovered was a traditional and tranquil Japanese restaurant with rush matting, screens, large windows, beautiful views and fabulous food at reasonable prices. This will remain as a real highlight of our trip.
Written 9 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lin P
Federal Way, WA79 contributions
May 2016
Boarded the Keihan Express bus at the Kyoto station's ,Hachijoguchi exit , using my Icoca card to visit the Daigoji Temple, & it took about 40 min ride. Alighted at a parking area where the bus stops, & also the place to board the bus again going back to the hotel. The entrance fee was 600 Yen for the Shimo Daigo tour or lower Daigo area tour, which I selected, because I was only interested to see the Bentendo Hall . There is also a Higher Daigo tour that covers a more extensive area to tour if prefered. The Bentendo Hall temple is located infront of a small lake surrounded with trees, and its so peaceful & calm, & refreshing just to be there. The temple has a vibrant dark orange color and just infront of it is a Japanese style short bridge that curves up at the center & it matches the color of the temple. On the right side of the temple there is a small waterfalls surrounded with plants & tall trees. Daigoji Temple is considered as a Unesco World Heritage site that is worth visiting when you go to Kyoto, Japan
Written 19 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura R
Littleton, CO20 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
I have hung in my office a picture from a calendar of this temple. It has been in my office for 8 years, but the problem was I never knew the name of the temple or where it was. I finally found this serene place in its' springtime glory. The grounds are lovely. Right next to the pictured temple is a wonderful restaurant. As a vegetarian I found this extraordinarily delicious and wonderful.
Written 10 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
assaf s
Tel Aviv, Israel118 contributions
Aug 2015 • Friends
Definitely would recommend this temple. Not as filled with tourists as the rest of the temples. Bare in mind though that it's about 20 min drive from city center. There's a 5-stores pavilion, and another one located in the middle of a beautiful forest (like a lot of them are ;-) would dedicate 1-2 hours to this attraction.
Written 5 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hkvisitor1997
Hong Kong, China516 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
Maybe this is the biggest site in Kyoto, the ground cover area is very big, total there's 4 separate fee, combined save some money, most people visit the lower ground, the upper ground, one need to walk up an hour to reach it, all together you need almost a whole day to see everything, total almost 20 sites, but if one like this kind of history, will be well rewarded, if time is limited, just visit the lower ground, at least walk to the Bentendo, a picture perfect spot, a temple with a pond and connect with a little bridge, with colorful tree all around, to see is to believe it, if you going to spend a day here, there's a tea house near the entrance, serve tea and coffee, noodles and set traditional Japanese cuisine lunch or just buy some ice cream, all together, we had spend 10 days in Kyoto, visit many temples, this one belong to one in top five pick for
us.
us.
Written 15 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chuck D
Pinole, CA73 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
The beauty, the serenity of this beautiful temple make it a priority when visiting Japan. Be sure to walk the grounds to see shrines and other quiet pots. The temple is also known as "The Golden Pavillion". When you see it around mid-day, the sunlight makes it appear magical.
Written 20 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello,
I search quite temple to visit on sunday for next october...
Could you tell me if Daigo ji temple is crowded on sunday as the other major temple in Kyoto or less crowded due the acces a little bit difficult.
thank you
Written 13 May 2018
Where does the kami-daigo trail begin? I love walking and want to get to the top of the mountain as well as seeing temples
Written 9 April 2017
Trip Advsor does not allow links so I can't post it, but the temple site includes a Guide to the area. Google World Heritage site Kyoto Daigo-ji Temple. Also, another T advisor posted an excellent detail of the access. Plz. check it out.
Written 10 April 2017
Hi, as of now Daigoji's EN website stats that Kami-Daigoji is closed due to "disaster restoration construction". Anyone knows whether it really is closed and when it opens again? Visiting in September!
Written 6 June 2016
I went in april and it was open took about two hours to visit
Written 11 June 2016
when is the best time to see the cherry blossom?
Written 14 January 2016
Yes, mostly last week of March to the first week of April.
Written 15 January 2016
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