Daikaku-ji Temple: From Imperial Villa to Shingon Buddhist Temple

✓ Daikaku-ji Temple Located in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, Daikaku-ji Temple was originally built as an imperial villa for Emperor Saga. In 876 AD, it was converted into a Shingon Buddhist temple. Since several of its abbots were members of the imperial family, Daikaku-ji Temple is regarded as an imperial residence and is also known as Saga Imperial Palace. Next to the temple lies a lakeside garden featuring Osawa Pond, which is designed in the Chinese-style "pond boating" architecture, modeled after China's Dongting Lake. It is considered the oldest man-made pond in Japan. Access: From JR Saga-Arashiyama Station, it is approximately a 15-minute walk to Daikaku-ji Temple.