Overview
Daikomyo-ji is a Buddhist temple of the Rinzai Shokoku-ji school in the Shokoku-ji Monzen district of Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, and one of the sub-temples of the head temple Shokoku-ji. Its mountain name is Bon'ozan and its principal image is Fugen Bosatsu. Known as the ancestral temple of successive generations of the Fushimi-no-miya imperial house, it preserves a quiet, aristocratic tradition of prayer within the broad precincts of Shokoku-ji.
Highlights
- ●Fugen Bosatsu enshrined as the principal image
- ●Its lineage as the ancestral temple of the Fushimi-no-miya house
- ●A history founded in 1339 and moved from Fushimi to Kyoto in 1615
- ●The setting of a sub-temple within the precincts of head temple Shokoku-ji
History
Daikomyo-ji is said to have been founded in 1339, with its main hall established by Kogimon'in, consort of Emperor Go-Fushimi. Originally located in Fushimi, the temple was moved to Kyoto in 1615 and settled in its present place before the gate of Shokoku-ji. Ever since, it has served as the ancestral temple of the Fushimi-no-miya house, carrying on imperial devotion within the Zen tradition of the Shokoku-ji school. For fuller historical detail, please consult the official sources.
Access
The temple stands in the Shokoku-ji Monzen district of Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, at roughly 35.03 latitude and 135.76 longitude. Set within a corner of the vast Shokoku-ji precincts, it is easy to reach on foot from the Jotenkaku Museum and the Doshisha University area. In this calm district north of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, nearest stations, bus stops and whether the sub-temple is open may vary, so please confirm current details through official information before visiting.
Best season
As a sub-temple within the Shokoku-ji precincts, it offers a quiet charm in every season, from the soft cherry blossom and fresh green of spring to the deep green of summer, the colouring precincts of autumn and the clear air of winter. Sub-temples are sometimes open only at limited times, so please check the official information, including any special viewings, when planning the timing of your visit.
Map
35.0331, 135.7623 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Walk to the Monzen district of Shokoku-ji from north of the Kyoto Imperial Palace
- 2Visit Daikomyo-ji as one of the sub-temples within the Shokoku-ji precincts
- 3Pay respects as one of the Thirteen Buddhist Sites of Kyoto and learn its history
- 4Combine the visit with the Jotenkaku Museum to enjoy the Zen culture of Shokoku-ji
Did you know?
💡 Daikomyo-ji is counted among the Thirteen Buddhist Sites of Kyoto and is visited as part of that pilgrimage. Its deep ties to the imperial Fushimi-no-miya house give it a distinguished standing among the city's sub-temples, making it a place where the Zen culture of Shokoku-ji meets a story linked to the imperial family.
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