Daitokuji Temple

Daitokuji Temple 大徳寺

Overview

Daitokuji Temple

Daitokuji Temple is one of the five great zen temples in Kyoto (the other four are Nanzenji, Tenryuji, Kenninji, and Tofukuji).

It is located in north Kyoto, where it was established in 1319.

Daitokuji is a Rinzai Zen temple in northwest Kyoto, a complex within walls made up of 24 sub-temples, eight of which are open to the public. The best known are the small sub-temples Daisen-in and Koto-in. Both have small, beautiful gardens.

During the Onin War, much of the temple was destroyed by fire. It was later rebuilt with donations from wealthy merchants from Sakai, Osaka. The Sakai connection is not limited to merchants, but extends famously to Sen-no Rikyu, the founder of the Japanese tea ceremony.

In 1582, Toyotomi Hideyoshi conducted the funeral service of Oda Nobunaga at Daitokuji Temple.

For those riding to the temple, parking is available at the side entrance.

Relevant Routes

Daitokuji Temple is on the Kitayama to Kamigamo Shrine Route. 

Address

Daitokuji-cho, Murasakino, Kita-ku, Kyoto
Tel: 075 491 0019

Hours

Daitokuji Temple is open twenty-four hours a day. The sub-temples are open from 9 am and charge a fee.

Map

Daitokuji Temple Map

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