Central Kyoto - Kyoto - page 165

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DAITOKU-JI
( 大徳寺 ; 491-0019; 53 Daitokuji-chō, Murasakino, Kita-ku; dawn-dusk; 20min walk from Kitaōji Sta-
tion, Karasuma subway line) Daitoku-ji is a separate world within Kyoto - a world of Zen
temples, perfectly raked gardens and wandering lanes. It is one of the most rewarding des-
tinations in this part of the city, particularly for those with an interest in Japanese gardens.

Daitoku-ji, the headquarters of the Rinzai Daitoku-ji school, contains an extensive com-
plex of 24 subtemples - including Daisen-in ( CLICK HERE ), Kōtō-in ( CLICK HERE ), Ōbai-in
( CLICK HERE ), Ryōgen-in ( CLICK HERE ) and Zuihō-in ( CLICK HERE ). If you want an intens-
ive look at Zen culture, this is the place to visit.

The eponymous Daitoku-ji is on the eastern side of the grounds. It was founded in
1319, burnt down in the next century and rebuilt in the 16th century. The San-mon gate
(1589) has a self-carved statue of its erector, the famous tea-master Sen no Rikyū, on its
2nd storey.

Some sources say that Toyotomi Hideyoshi was so angry when he discovered he'd been
demeaning himself by walking under Rikyū's effigy that he forced the master to commit
seppuku (ritual suicide) in 1591.

The Karasuma subway line is the best way to get here. From the station, walk west
along Kitaōji-dōri for about 20 minutes. You'll see the temple complex on your right. The
main entrance is bit north of Kitaōji. If you enter from the main gate, which is on the east
side of the complex, you will soon after find Daitoku-ji on your right.

DAISEN-IN
( 大仙院 ; 491-8346; 54-1 Daitokuji-chō, Murasakino, Kita-ku; admission ¥400; 9am-5pm Mar-Nov, to
4.30pm Dec-Feb; 20min walk from Kitaōji Station, Karasuma subway line) The two small Zen gardens in
this subtemple of Daitoku-ji are elegant examples of 17th-century karesansui (dry-land-
scape rock garden) style. Here the trees, rocks and sand are said to represent and express
various spectacles of nature, from waterfalls and valleys to mountain lakes. It's one of the
more popular subtemples here, but not as rewarding as Kōtō-in ( CLICK HERE ) or Ōbai-in (
CLICK HERE ).

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KŌTŌ-IN
( 高桐院 ; 492-0068; 73-1 Daitokuji-chō, Murasakino, Kita-ku; admission ¥400; 9am-4.30pm; 20min
walk from Kitaōji Station, Karasuma subway line) On the far western edge of the Daitoku-ji complex
(you may have to ask directions to find it), this sublime garden is one of the best in all
Kyoto and it's worth a special trip. It's located within a fine bamboo grove that you tra-
verse via a moss-lined path. Once inside there is a small stroll garden which leads to the

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