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
Neighborhood: 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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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
663 reviews
Excellent
349
Very good
216
Average
73
Poor
17
Terrible
8
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ZN9999
Mollymook, Australia483 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
This has been on mu Kyoto list for many years but it always seems so far away from the rest of the attraction in Kyoto. As all those are now overrun we decided to go to all the other places we hadn't been too over the years.
A good walk from the nearest station but not too demanding.
This is vast temple complex with many sites worth visiting. Take your time to soak it all up. The formal garden around the temple as you go in is one of the best I've ever seen in Japan. Very impressive, lots of water, bridges and viewing points from inside the temple. We were there in May so the new spring growth on the trees was prominent.
Beyond the garden through the large Sanmon gate there is a large hall and 5 story pogada. Further up the hill through a bush path if the lake with orange bridge and small temple you see in all the promo photos. It must be very spectacular in autumn or during hana mi.
Surrounding all if that are various other buildings some old and uncared for. The museum was closed for our visit.
I'm glad I finally got to visit here, there were no crowds it was open and relaxing.
A good walk from the nearest station but not too demanding.
This is vast temple complex with many sites worth visiting. Take your time to soak it all up. The formal garden around the temple as you go in is one of the best I've ever seen in Japan. Very impressive, lots of water, bridges and viewing points from inside the temple. We were there in May so the new spring growth on the trees was prominent.
Beyond the garden through the large Sanmon gate there is a large hall and 5 story pogada. Further up the hill through a bush path if the lake with orange bridge and small temple you see in all the promo photos. It must be very spectacular in autumn or during hana mi.
Surrounding all if that are various other buildings some old and uncared for. The museum was closed for our visit.
I'm glad I finally got to visit here, there were no crowds it was open and relaxing.
Written July 1, 2024
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.
Hubilie
418 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
The garden is beautiful, but you have to pay an extra 500 yen to see it, but I think it's worth it. The whole tour route of Daigoji Temple is a bit messy, and it's easy for foreign tourists to miss the attractions. The reflection of the small bridge in my photo is very beautiful, I almost missed it.
Very beautiful attraction.
Very beautiful attraction.
Written October 22, 2023
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.
MYAKU-MYAKU
Osaka, Japan1,906 contributions
Mar 2024 • Solo
Daigoji Temple in Kyoto, a World Cultural Heritage site, is a Buddhist temple closely associated with Taiko Hideyoshi. There is also a five-story pagoda, a national treasure, on the site. During the cherry blossom season, many visitors from all over the country line up to open shops.
Automatically translated
Written November 3, 2024
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.
skiin89ba
Sagamihara, Japan2,424 contributions
Apr 2024 • Solo
This is one of the temples in Kyoto that blooms early, but this year it was still in full bloom on April 6th. I think it's unusual for the cherry blossoms to be in full bloom at this time of year. Some of the cherry blossoms have started to fall, but overall they are still in full bloom.
Written April 7, 2024
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.
よしめ
Chiba, Japan38,980 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
I visited on my own in spring to see the cherry blossoms, and on a tour in autumn to see the illuminated autumn leaves. It is registered as a World Heritage Site. After passing through the Niomon Gate and going through a tunnel of beautiful autumn leaves, and appreciating the five-story pagoda decorated with bright red maple leaves, I arrived at Benten Pond, which resembles a Chinese garden. It was lit up and had a bewitching atmosphere, and there was a lot to see.
Written December 17, 2023
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.
Bash T
5 contributions
Sep 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 September 26, 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, CA523 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 November 23, 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
Utah398 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 December 27, 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
Sep 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 September 9, 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 February 9, 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.
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 May 13, 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 April 9, 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 April 10, 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 June 6, 2016
I went in april and it was open took about two hours to visit
Written June 11, 2016
when is the best time to see the cherry blossom?
Written January 14, 2016
Yes, mostly last week of March to the first week of April.
Written January 15, 2016
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