Daigoji Temple

Daigoji (醍醐寺) is an important temple of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The large temple complex stands southeast of central Kyoto and includes an entire mountainside. The main temple grounds are located at the base of the mountain and connected via a hiking trail to several more temple buildings around the summit.

Sanboin

Upon entering the main grounds, visitors first come across the Sanboin, the elegant former residence of the head priest, originally constructed in 1115. The current building and its outstanding landscape garden date to 1598, when it was reconstructed and expanded for Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s famous cherry blossom viewing party. The building remains an excellent example of extravagant Momoyama architecture and should not be missed.

Shimo Daigo (Lower Daigo)

A short walk further into the grounds brings you to the Shimo Daigo area where most of the temple’s important buildings stand. The Kondo Hall (main hall) was originally built in 926; the current building was relocated to Daigoji in 1599 and stores the main object of worship, a seated statue of the Yakushi Buddha.

Also here stands a 38-meter-tall five-story pagoda, Kyoto’s oldest verified building. Built in 951, it is the only structure to survive the fires that have repeatedly destroyed Daigoji over the centuries.

The Bentendo Hall sits beside a pond in the very back of the Shimo Daigo area — probably Daigoji’s most photographed building, especially beautiful with autumn colors around late November.

Reihokan Museum

An elegant treasure house on the main grounds displaying the temple’s large collection of historical objects, including statues, documents, and paintings. Some of the temple’s most impressive weeping cherry trees stand in the museum’s garden, usually blooming in early April.

Kami Daigo (Upper Daigo)

In the back of the lower grounds, near the Bentendo Hall, is the trailhead to the original temple grounds around the mountain summit. It takes about one hour to climb the steep trail through the forest. Those who make the climb are rewarded by more wooden halls set along the quiet forested mountainside and views over the plain as far as Osaka on clear days. Entry from 9:00 to 15:00 (until 14:00 Dec-Feb); everyone must return by 17:00. Admission: 600 yen.

Getting There

A 15-minute walk or short community bus ride (bus 4, 210 yen, every 30 minutes) from Daigo Station on the Tozai Subway Line. From Kyoto Station: take JR to Yamashina Station (5 minutes, 180 yen) and transfer to the Tozai Subway Line (8 minutes, 260 yen). Alternatively, Keihan Bus 22/22A from Yamashina Station (20 minutes, 220 yen, every 20 minutes) or Keihan Bus 301 from Kyoto Station Hachijo side (30 minutes, 260 yen, 1-2 per hour).

Hours and Admission

Lower grounds: 9:00 to 17:00 (until 16:30 Dec-Feb), admission ends 30 minutes before closing. Regular season: 1000 yen (Sanboin and Shimo Daigo), 500 yen (Reihokan Museum). Spring season (March 20 to early May): 1500 yen (Sanboin, Shimo Daigo, and Reihokan Garden), plus 500 yen for the museum. No closing days.