Mid-November to early December offers peak autumn foliage, particularly at Koto-in sub-temple. Weekday mornings have the fewest visitors. Some sub-temples open only during special spring and autumn viewing periods, so check availability before visiting.
Only seven or eight of the 22 sub-temples are open to the public. Daisen-in, Zuiho-in, Koto-in, and Ryogen-in are consistently accessible. The remainder function as private monasteries. Opening schedules vary seasonally.
Photography is prohibited inside temple buildings. Garden photography from designated areas is generally permitted. Policies vary by sub-temple, so follow posted signs and staff instructions.
Allow 1.5 to 2 hours for two or three sub-temples, or 3 to 4 hours to see all publicly accessible areas. Each sub-temple requires separate admission and exploration time.
Several traditional restaurants and cafes are located within walking distance of the temple complex Izusen, located inside the temple grounds near Daisen-in, serves shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine). Several local restaurants and cafes operate within walking distance, though options are more limited than in central Kyoto.
Temple complex with many shrines to visit, with a small payment to be made at each. The gardens were sublime, with interesting differences between each one.
There were a few other visitors there, but it was just far enough off the beaten track that you were able to get a genuine feeling of peace at the different gardens.
Make sure to wear slip-on-off shoes, as you'll be taking them off and on constantly!
Daitoku-ji is a huge complex with lots of sub-temples and a botanical garden to see. Rock gardens are like the star of these temples. There are interesting little facts about each one of them.
My only issue was each sub-temple required an entrance fee and some were cheap like 400¥ but some were 1-1.5K¥ and I was a bit disappointed. Because once you see one of them, the rest is more or less similar, (some surely being grander than others).
My advice would be to have your picks, and go at them without not trying to go in each and every one of it.
Botanical gardens were seriously pretty and worth every penny.
I only stopped by Daitoku-ji Temple briefly, and it felt a bit underwhelming at the time because parts of the site were still being improved. The temple itself was fine to see, including the dragon ceiling, but for me it did not quite justify the entrance fee. It may be better once the work is finished.
It was pretty quiet not too many tourists so it was a serene and lovely walk but some of the areas are closed off to the public for various reasons or you need to pay an admission fee. I can't speak for the those areas you need to pay for as unfortunately I didn't have time to explore everywhere but I'm sure it's nice. I think you need to give yourself plenty of time to truly enjoy his place so would advise to spend a few hours here.
Awesome place to visit. Easy to get to from Kyoto station...subway train then a short bus ride all well sign posted. You pay for each area you visit within the temple. If you love zen gardens this is the place. Don't miss the smallest zen garden. It was very quiet as I think not on the main trail of tourist places.
