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We felt ripped off after having visited this temple. We paid the price of admission only to be told afterwards that you couldn't take photos of the garden. I fully understand the need for this in the temple itself (which was under renovation) but thought it ridiculous that you couldn't even take pics of the gardens. The gardens themselves were ok but I'd recommend spending your money at the nearby Zuihoin which had nicer gardens (although now temple).…
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Date of experience: October 2019
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We thought Daisen-In was a very unpleasant place to be, and that truly is a feeling I’ve never had before in a Buddhist temple. If you would like to see some of the gardens of the Daitoku-ji - this is not the best place to see one. First of all, you are strictly prohibited to take pictures of the garden, which considering that it’s absolutely no issue in the other sub temples of Daitoku-ji, does seem pretty absurd. They really enforce that rule too. Second, it’s by far not the most beautiful garden - better try and see the garden of Zuiho-In, which is a bit bigger and was rather empty on the day we visited. And you are allowed to take pictures ;) In Daisen-In, there are only greedy people working who want to sell stuff.…
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Date of experience: September 2019
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This garden is intended to express the spirit of zen using only rocks and sand. It is amazing how by raking the rocks into patterns and placing larger rocks and sand they depict a mountain, moving water and finally the ocean. These are very peaceful gardens. They don’t take much time to go through but it is very relaxing to visit them…
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Date of experience: April 2019
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This temple garden is part of a temple complex. The entry fee is very reasonable. In the temple there are screen paintings of nature and the rock garden gives another representation of nature in a small space, about 100 sq. m. You can get a green tea here while looking at the garden.…
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Date of experience: March 2019
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When we purchased admission tickets, we asked why photo taking was not allowed. A female staff sold tickets to us, mid sixties, wearing a black flamed pair of glasses, probably 5'.0"-5'2" tall, did not clearly explained the reasons to us. Anyway, we accepted the temple's policies. I had a backpack, and what she said to me was, "You can not take photos! You don't have a camera!". Her attitude was very unfriendly, doubtfully, forcefully and humiliating. And, then she immediately run to the men (I guess they were Buddhist monks) like soldiers standing each corner of the architecture and whispered to them. THE WORST THING WAS SHE WAS ALWAYS CHASING US ALL THE TIME IN OUR ENTIRE VISIT AT THE TEMPLE. I FELT THAT WE WERE IN JAIL/PRISON. Why did they treat us like criminals. I could not bear it. I left there in less than 10 min. It was my last day in Japan and the last visiting spot in my BELOVED city KYOTO. I'll never visit the temple again, and never recommend to anybody. I've been so so so sad. I hope you understand how I feel. Thanks.…
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Date of experience: March 2019
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