Daikaku-ji Temple Imperial Villa & Osawa Pond Reflections, Saga, Kyoto

About this place

Live Camera | Daikaku-ji Temple & Osawa Pond, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, Japan. Originally founded in the 9th century as an imperial detached palace for Emperor Saga, Daikaku-ji is an illustrious temple renowned as the historical birthplace of the Saga Goryu school of flower arrangement. Its crowning glory is Osawa Pond, Japan's oldest surviving artificial garden pond, legendary for centuries of imperial autumn moon-viewing parties (Chushu no Meigetsu). Visitors cross covered wooden verandas decorated with Kanō school sliding screens, before savoring seasonal Kyogashi confections, Sasaya Iori bean pastries, and serene bowls of ceremonial Uji matcha.

✦ Must-Visit Highlights:

▸ Japan's Oldest Imperial Garden Pond at Osawa Pond: Behold pristine waters ringed by ancient weeping willows, cherry trees, and lotus blooms.

▸ Magnificent Imperial Shinden & Historic Heart Sutra Hall: Walk polished wooden corridors admiring gold-leaf Kanō screen paintings.

▸ Elegant Daikakuji Tea Pavilion Wagashi & Uji Green Tea: Relish delicate seasonal bean-paste sweets paired with stone-ground green tea.