Daitoku-ji Obai-in: Autumn Special Opening
Obai-in (Daitoku-ji) · KitaSubway Karasuma Line 「北大路」Station · about 5 min walkOpen in Google Maps ↗
Oubai-in, a subtemple of Daitoku-ji, holds a special autumn opening from 9 October to 6 December 2026, with reception closing at 15:45 and closed on 10, 11 and 28 October. Admission is ¥1,000 for adults, ¥500 for junior- and high-school students, and free for children of elementary-school age and under (with a guardian), cash only. See the garden said to have been designed by Sen no Rikyu, the tea house 昨夢軒, the hojo garden Hoto-tei, wall paintings in the main hall (Important Cultural Property, reproductions) and the kuri (Important Cultural Property).
Before you go
Oubai-in is a subtemple (tatchu) of Daitoku-ji, head of the Rinzai Daitoku-ji school. It was founded by Oda Nobunaga for the memorial of his father Nobuhide, later expanded by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and renamed Oubai-in in 1589. This autumn opening opens the garden, tea house and kuri that are normally closed.
The temple began in Eiroku 5 (1562), when the 28-year-old Nobunaga built the hermitage Oubai-an for his father's memorial. After Nobunaga's death at Honno-ji, Hideyoshi expanded it and renamed it Oubai-in in 1589. Its garden, 直中庭, is said to have been designed by Sen no Rikyu at the age of 66, its gourd-shaped pond laid out at Hideyoshi's wish.
- 直中庭: a moss-covered kare-sansui garden said to have been designed by Sen no Rikyu at 66, with a gourd-shaped pond laid out at Hideyoshi's wish.
- The tea house 昨夢軒, favoured by the tea master Takenno Jo-o.
- The hojo garden 破頭庭, and the front garden covered in moss and maples.
- The kuri (Important Cultural Property), said to be the oldest surviving kuri at a Zen temple, plus reproductions of Unkoku Togan's wall paintings in the main hall.
- Getting there
- Take a city bus to the Daitoku-ji stop and walk about 5 minutes. The address is 83-1 Daitokuji Murasakino, Kita-ku. You can also take the Karasuma subway to Kitaoji and transfer to a city bus.
- Booking
- No reservation is needed; buy tickets at the gate on the day. Adults ¥1,000, junior- and high-school students ¥500, children of elementary-school age and under free with a guardian. Cash only. Groups of 10 or more must book in advance.
Do I need a reservation?
Not for individual visitors; buy tickets on the day. Groups of 10 or more must book in advance.
Which days is it closed?
10, 11 and 28 October within the opening period; extra closing days may be added for temple services, so check the official page.
Can I pay by card?
No, cash only.
Do elementary-school children need a ticket?
Children of elementary-school age and under are free, but must be accompanied by a guardian.
Can I take photos?
Still photos are fine; video, audio recording, selfie sticks and tripods are not.
Sources Kyoto Shunju: Daitoku-ji Oubai-in (autumn special opening)
- Time
- Last entry 15:45
- Address (for taxis)
- 京都市北区紫野大徳寺町83-1
- Organizer
- 株式会社京都春秋