Daitoku-ji Soken-in: Autumn Special Opening
Soken-in (Daitoku-ji) · KitaSubway Karasuma Line 「北大路」Station · about 5 min walkOpen in Google Maps ↗
Soken-in, a subtemple of Daitoku-ji, holds a special autumn opening from 10 October to 30 November 2026, with reception closing at 16:00 (on 1 November reception starts at 11:30) and closed on 4, 5, 21 and 22 November. Admission is ¥800 for adults, ¥400 for junior- and high-school students, and free for children of elementary-school age and under (with a guardian), cash only. See the main hall, the seated statue of Oda Nobunaga (Important Cultural Property), the tombs of the Nobunaga family and the tea houses.
Before you go
Soken-in is a subtemple of Daitoku-ji built in 1583 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi as the memorial temple for his lord Oda Nobunaga, who died in the Honno-ji incident. Its founding abbot, Kokei Sochin, was the Zen teacher of Sen no Rikyu. This autumn opening opens the main hall, the statue, the family tombs and its three tea houses.
It was built in Tensho 11 (1583), on the first anniversary of Nobunaga's death, for his memorial. The seated wooden statue of Nobunaga in the main hall was carved by the Kei-ha busshi Kosei at roughly life size, about 115 cm tall.
- The seated wooden statue of Oda Nobunaga (Important Cultural Property), about 115 cm tall at life size, dedicated by Hideyoshi.
- The tombs of the Nobunaga family: seven gorin stones and tombs of Nobunaga, his daughter Tokuhime, his legal wife Nohime and others.
- Three tea houses standing in a row; records say Hideyoshi held a great tea gathering at the temple.
- The gate and earthen walls keep their 1583 appearance; the wall has a rare double parent-and-child structure.
- Getting there
- Take a city bus to the Daitoku-ji stop and walk about 7 minutes. The address is 59 Daitokuji Murasakino, Kita-ku.
- Booking
- No reservation is needed; buy tickets at the gate. Adults ¥800, junior- and high-school students ¥400, children of elementary-school age and under free with a guardian. Cash only. Groups of 10 or more must book in advance. On 19 October and 1 November reception does not open until 11:30.
Do I need a reservation?
Not for individual visitors; buy on the day. Groups of 10 or more must book in advance.
Which days is it closed?
4, 5, 21 and 22 November; extra closing days may be added for temple services, so check the official page.
What is special about 19 October and 1 November?
Reception starts at 11:30 on those two days, so do not arrive in the morning.
Can I take photos?
You can in the grounds, but not inside the main hall.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
No; the building's layout does not allow wheelchair visits.
Sources Kyoto Shunju: Daitoku-ji Soken-in (autumn special opening)
- Time
- Last entry 16:00
- Address (for taxis)
- 京都市北区紫野大徳寺町59
- Organizer
- 株式会社京都春秋