Daikaku-ji

Temple

Part of Arashiyama

Prefecture

Kyoto

Type

Temple

N/A

1 review

¥500

Entry Fee

Train Access

About This Destination

A former imperial palace turned Shingon temple, famous for Osawa Pond — Japan's oldest artificial garden lake. The sprawling grounds and elegant corridors connect multiple halls. Especially beautiful during autumn foliage and the harvest moon viewing.

Once an imperial villa for Emperor Saga, this grand Shingon temple preserves the elegance of Heian-period aristocratic life alongside Japan's oldest artificial garden pond. Osawa Pond, created over 1,200 years ago for moon-viewing parties, reflects the surrounding cherry trees and autumn maples in its still waters. The temple's extensive halls connected by wooden corridors display sliding screen paintings by the Kano school, while the annual Kangetsu no Yube moon-viewing festival recreates imperial traditions on boats illuminated by paper lanterns.