At Daikakuji Temple, the former imperial palace of emperor Saga of the Heian Period, the traditional prayers and culture of the Heian Period has been passed down until the present day. Normally off-limits to the general populace, this temple that is also hailed as the cradle of Heian culture offers you a unique chance to experience the daily lives of monks, including morning service and making patterns in the sand garden.
This experience deepens the bonds between people, its purpose being to convey feelings of gratitude to one's beloved partner while surrendering oneself to the solemn and quiet space and purifying one's heart.

A private premium experience that deepens the bonds between two people at Daikakuji Temple, a sacred site in Saga Arashiyama that has existed for 1,200 years.

Kyoto

Experience details

LocationSaga Arashiyama
Days availableIrregular
Time06:10〜10:30
Duration4 hours and 20 minutes (approx.)
Participants2
GuideIncluded
LanguagesEnglish, Japanese
Starting point(Overnight stay plan)Restaurant Rangetsu
Starting point(Experience plan only)Daikakuji "Akechi Gate"
Finishing pointDaikakuji Temple (finishes on-site)
Product numberX-005
  • Monks will guide you to the non-public areas of the prestigious Daikakuji Temple, which was built by Emperor Saga as a detached palace.
  • The sound of the Heart sutra echoing in the silence as you participate in the monk's morning service.
  • Experience making sand patterns of white sand seen in the stone garden, etc., which are usually inaccessible to visitors.
  • Special monk cuisine served at Teikokan, which is closed to the public and used by the Imperial Family for entertaining guests.
  • The oldest garden pond in Japan and the Nakoso plaza with a spectacular view from 1200 years ago.

Daikakuji Temple, the former imperial villa of Emperor Saga established over 1200 years ago, is home to many national treasures and important cultural properties, including the Osawa Pond, the oldest garden pond in Japan.
The beautiful grounds and the tranquil scenery of nature blend together to envelop you in a sense of mystery and awe.


At this sacred site, you and your significant other can deepen your bond with each other as you experience the daily life of a Buddhist monk. For the finale, we will offer a bouquet of flowers at a special spot in the 1km wide garden pond with a spectacular view. Here you will have the rare opportunity to mutually express your gratitude to each other, strengthen your bond between you and vow to face future trials together.

<Tour contents>
・Privately chartered temple before opening hours, guidance by a monk
・Access to areas otherwise unavailable to general public
・Participation in morning rituals as carried out by monks for over 1200 years
・Daikakuji original sutra prayer experience (included in the sutra copying course only)
・Special monk cuisine served in a private room used by the Imperial Household
・sand raking and pattern making experience in a dry zen garden
・Traditional floor polishing of the Shinden hallways (included in the floor polishing course only)
・A free stroll and a surprise in the oldest traditional Japanese pond garden

Plan overview

Deepen your bonds with the Daikakuji Premium “Sutra copying and sand garden” Course

・Private temple course guided by a Buddhist monk
・Access to areas otherwise unavailable to general public
・Participation in morning rituals as carried out by monks since early Heian era
・Daikakuji original sutra prayer experience
・sand raking and pattern making experience in a dry zen garden
・Special monk cuisine prepared by a long-established traditional restaurant, served in a private room used by the Imperial Household
・A free stroll and a surprise in the oldest traditional Japanese pond garden with an amazing view

1 person
299.72USD~
View plans with accommodation
  • Bond-strengthening premium Daikakuji experience “Sutra copying and sand pattern making course” + ”Rangetsu special room stay course”

    • With dinner / without breakfast
    • Ryotei Rangetsu Special Room (with open-air bath in room)
    • 15:00
    • 11:00
    • With dinner / without breakfast
    • Ryotei Rangetsu Special Room (with open-air bath in room)
    • 15:00
    • 11:00
    1 person
    744.12USD~
  • Bond-strengthening premium Daikakuji experience “Sutra copying and sand pattern making course” + ”Rangetsu Japanese room room stay course”

    • With dinner / without breakfast
    • Ryotei Rangetsu Japanese Room
    • 15:00
    • 11:00
    • With dinner / without breakfast
    • Ryotei Rangetsu Japanese Room
    • 15:00
    • 11:00
    1 person
    509.86USD~

Bond-strengthening premium Daikakuji experience “Sand pattern making and floor cleaning course”

・Private temple course guided by a Buddhist monk
・Access to areas otherwise unavailable to general public
・Participation in morning rituals as carried out by monks since early Heian era
・Floor cleaning experience at the Shinden, important cultural property
・sand raking and pattern making experience in a dry zen garden
・Special monk cuisine prepared by a long-established traditional restaurant, served in a private room used by the Imperial Household
・A free stroll and a surprise in the oldest traditional Japanese pond garden with an amazing view

1 person
299.72USD~
View plans with accommodation
  • Bond-strengthening premium Daikakuji experience “Sand pattern making and floor cleaning” + “Rangetsu Special Room” course

    • With dinner / without breakfast
    • Ryotei Rangetsu Special Room (with open-air bath in room)
    • 15:00
    • 11:00
    • With dinner / without breakfast
    • Ryotei Rangetsu Special Room (with open-air bath in room)
    • 15:00
    • 11:00
    1 person
    744.12USD~
  • Bond-strengthening premium Daikakuji experience “Sand pattern making and floor cleaning” + “Rangetsu Japanese Room” course

    • With dinner / without breakfast
    • Ryotei Rangetsu Japanese Room
    • 15:00
    • 11:00
    • With dinner / without breakfast
    • Ryotei Rangetsu Japanese Room
    • 15:00
    • 11:00
    1 person
    509.86USD~

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