Daikakuji Temple

Daikakuji Temple（大覚寺） is the head temple of the Daikaku school of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, and was originally built as a detached palace by Emperor Saga.Daikakuji Temple is also the fundamental center for Shinkei sutra copying and the home of the Saga Goryu flower arrangement.

The corridors connecting the various halls are lowered to prevent the raising of swords and spears, and the floors are covered with Japanese bush warbler’s warbler.

Adjacent to the east is Osawa Pond, Japan’s oldest garden pond modeled after China’s Dongting Lake and designated as a national place of scenic beauty.The Saga Festival is held on the fourth Sunday of May, Yoiko Kobo (Lantern Festival) on August 20, and Kangetsu no Yuube (Moon-watching Evening) on August 15 of the lunar calendar.

Gionji Temple, the pagoda of Daikaku-ji Temple, is about a 25-minute walk away, and a special “Daikakuji and Gionji Temple (two temples) common visit ticket” is also available. Access to Daikakuji Temple from Kyoto Station is by bus, which takes about 45 minutes.