Daigo-ji Temple

UNESCO World Heritage

醍醐寺

Daigo-ji covers Mount Daigo in southeast Kyoto and is known as the "Temple of Flowers". It began when the monk Shobo built a small hermitage on the mountain in the 9th century, and today more than 100 halls stand in its lower and upper areas. Its five-story pagoda, built in 952, is the oldest wooden building in Kyoto Prefecture. Toyotomi Hideyoshi held a famous cherry blossom party here in 1598, so spring is the best season. It is part of the World Heritage site; the mountain trail to Upper Daigo is closed for now.

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Visitor information

Opening hours

March 1 to the first Sunday of December: 9:00–17:00. From the next day to the end of February: 9:00–16:30. Ticket sales end 30 minutes before closing (hours change in spring).

Admission

Normal period (April 20 – March 19): ticket for all 3 areas (Sanbo-in, Garan, Reihokan) adults 1,500 yen, junior/senior high 1,000 yen; any 2 areas adults 1,000 yen, junior/senior high 700 yen; one area 600 / 400 yen. Elementary school children and younger: free.

Spring period (March 20 – third Sunday of April): ticket for all 3 areas adults 1,800 yen, junior/senior high 1,300 yen; one area 800 / 600 yen.

Getting there

From JR Kyoto Station, take the JR line to Yamashina (about 5 min), change to the Tozai subway line to Daigo Station (about 10 min), then walk about 10 minutes from Exit 2.

Hours and fees can change. Please check the official website before you go.

Good to know

Visitors with a disability certificate (and one companion) enter Sanbo-in, Reihokan and Garan for free.
Upper Daigo (Kami-Daigo) is closed for now because of landslide danger on the mountain trail.
Parking is limited and roads are narrow, so please use public transport, especially on Saturdays and Sundays.

Tips for Muslim visitors

To protect the cultural properties, please wear socks rather than going barefoot.
Photos for personal use are fine on the grounds, but not inside the halls, of the Buddha statues, or inside the Reihokan museum.
You cannot eat food you bring on the temple grounds; there are restaurants in the Reihokan and Garan areas.
Visiting the lower area (Sanboin, Garan, Reihokan) takes about 30 minutes each, about 1.5 hours in total.
Buddhist temples welcome visitors of all faiths. You can enjoy the buildings and gardens without joining any prayer, burning incense or buying charms.
Many halls ask you to take off your shoes. Wear socks and shoes that are easy to slip off, and keep a bag for your shoes if none is provided.
Photography is often not allowed inside halls. Follow the signs and ask staff if you are unsure.
Plan your visit around prayer times. Below are today's prayer times for Kyoto and the verified places to pray nearby.
Food stalls and shops near popular sights usually do not have halal certification. Check the ingredients, or choose from the verified places on this site.