DAIGOJI TEMPLE | KYOTO MAR 2017

Daigoji Temple (醍醐寺) is located at the southeast of central Kyoto on the entire mountainside that laid out in three parts: Sambō-in, Shimo-Daigo (Lower Daigo) and Kami-Daigo (Upper Daigo). Sambō-in and Shimo-Daigo are at the base of the mountain and Kami-Daigo is on top of the mountain via a hiking trail.

Before that, here’s the main gate.

It cost ¥800 (SGD$10.00) for adult and ¥600 (SGD$7.53) for children to access into all 3 areas (Sambouin, Garan <Shimo-Daigo> and Reihoukan museum). The combined admission ticket does not include Kami-Daigo. This has to be paid separately.

The admission price will be increased almost double the normal price during certain seasons. They only accept cash.

Let’s go.

The streets around Sambo-in can be freely access without buying any admission ticket.

SANBOIN (三宝院)

After buying the admission tickets, it will first come across the Sanboin. It is a Buddhist temple in southern Kyoto together with its famous Japanese garden and once used as the residence of the successive archbishops of Daigoji Temple.

Photo-taking is not allowed inside except the view of the entire garden.

This place is famous for its beautiful landscape garden.

The garden is designed with a large pond, several paths and bridges and contain over 700 stones.

There’s another small garden in the middle of the building.

Right outside.

Behind the temple.

There’s a little pathway towards a small garden on the left (on top of the photo).

SHIMO-DAIGO (下醍醐)

After exit the Sambō-in area, a short walk further up will bring you to the Nio Gate.

Walkthrough the gate will get into the temple grounds in the Shimo-Daigo (Lower Daigo) area.

One of the main building in the Shimo-Daigo area is Kondo (The Golden Hall) which stores the temple’s main object of worship, a seated statue of the Yakushi Buddha.

Further down, there’s a tall building called Goju-No-To.

This five storied pagoda is 38 meter tall which is the oldest building in Kyoto.

Furthermore, there are Honden (Seiryugu Main Hall), Soshi-Hall, Fudo Hall, Dai kodo, Nyonin Hall and Bentendo Hall.

Bentendo Hall is the most photographed building in Daigoji, which is next to a big pond at the very back of Shimo Daigo area.

Further up, not far from Bentendo Hall, is the trailhead to the Kami-Daigo (上醍醐) (Upper Daigo). There are many more temples around the summit of the mountain. But unfortunately, we didn’t keep on going after this point.

REIHOKAN MUSEUM (霊宝館)

The last but not least to explore after walking out from the Shimo-Daigo area is the Reihokan Museum.

It is an elegant treasure house which preserves and displays the temple’s large collection of historic documents and arts objects (including statue, paintings, carvings and craftwork).

Some of this national treasures and cultural assets will be exhibited to the public during spring and autumn seasons.

No photographs are allowed indoor.

♥INFORMATION♥

WHEN

Date of Visiting: 14 Mar 17
Opening Hours for Sanboin / Shimo-Daigo / Reihokan Museum: 9:00am – 17:00pm (except from early Dec to Feb will be 9:00am – 16:00pm)
Opening Hours for Kami-Daigo: 9:00am – 16:00pm (except early Dec to Feb – 9:00am – 15:00pm) NOTE: EVERYBODY MUST RETURN TO THE BASE OF THE MOUNTAIN BY 17:00.
Duration Spent: 4 hrs

ADMISSION

Normal period:

Adult: ¥800 (SGD$10.00)
Children: ¥600 (SGD$7.53)
For combined tickets (Sambouin, Garan <Shimo-Daigo> and Reihoukan museum)

Special period: (20 Mar – 15 May & 15 Oct – 10 Dec)

Adult: ¥1500 (SGD$18.82)
Children: ¥1000 (SGD$12.55)
For combined tickets (Sambouin, Garan <Shimo-Daigo> and Reihoukan museum)

WHERE

Address: 22 Daigohigashiojicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 601-1325, Japan

ACCESS

Nearest Train Station: Daigo Station (Tozai line)
Transport fees: ¥450 (SGD$5.65)
Use Kyoto Station as a starting point for guidance.

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From Kyoto Station.
Go to JR Tokaido-Sanyo line.
Look for platform 8-9.
Take the local train (not served by rapid train) which stated outside the train.
Alight at JR Rokujizo Station (5th station from Kyoto Station).
Go out from JR line and change to Tozai line.
Board at Rokujizo Station (Tozai line).
Alight at Daigo Station (Tozai line) (2nd station from Rokujizo Station).
Go to exit 2-3.
Follow the signboard.
Go to exit 2.
Turn left and you will see this mini signboard.
8 mins walk to Daigoji Temple. Follow the signboard.