Daisenin Shoin Garden 大仙院書院庭園

Daisenin's outstanding Japanese garden, Daisenin Shoin Garden, is located within the compound of one of Kyoto's most influential Zen temples.

You can reach the temple by train or bus.

Daisenin is within the Daitokuji Temple complex, a 15-minute walk from Kitaoji Station on the Karasuma Line. Alternately, take the 205 or the 206 bus from Kyoto Station and get off at Daitokuji-mae Bus Stop.

Daisenin, located inside the Daitokuji Temple precincts, is one of the oldest buildings of the Rinzai Zen sect of Buddhism. Zen is famous for the practice of zazen or religious meditation. Daisenin Shoin Garden is a karesansui type of garden, which expresses the flow of water from the mountains to the sea using only stones, sand, trees and plants.

The narrow space on the east side of the temple is filled with stones of various sizes, symbolizing the natural environment of steep mountains and deep valleys.

This narrow space flows into the Daisenin's larger garden, which symbolizes a torrent rushing into the great ocean. The garden has been designated a special scenic site and historic site by the Japanese government.

The main hall has been designated a National Treasure, and the paintings on the sliding screen doors within are Important Cultural Properties. Painted in a Chinese monochromatic style by Kano Motonobu, they depict the natural scenery of flowers and birds.

Daisenin has a deep connection to sado tea ceremony, which visitors can try. Matcha is served with delicate traditional sweets in a tatami room. The tea served at the temple is called sanpukucha, literally "three luck tea." It is said to triple the fortune of anyone who drinks it.

Every weekend, Daisenin offers Saturday and Sunday meditation sessions open to the public. If you would like to participate, be sure to make an appointment beforehand.