Obai-in Gardens (Daitoku-ji)
This season's opening
Obai-in Autumn Special Opening
- Hours
- 10:00–15:45 last entry. Closed Oct 10, 11 and 28 (more closures possible).
- Admission
- ¥1,000; ¥500 junior/senior high; free for younger children with a guardian
- Booking
- No bookingNo booking for individuals; groups of 10+ must book.
The normally closed temple shows the Jikichu-tei garden attributed to Rikyu, the Hato-tei gravel garden, the Sakumu-ken tea room, the kitchen hall said to be the oldest in any Zen temple (Important Cultural Property) and replica panels by Unkoku Togan.
Still photos allowed; no video, selfie sticks, tripods or people in shot. Closed on Oct 10–11, the opening weekend of Soken-in, so combine the two from the following week.
About the garden
A Daitoku-ji sub-temple founded by Oda Nobunaga and enlarged by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Its Jikichu-tei garden, attributed to Sen no Rikyu, sets a gourd-shaped dry pond into moss, a shape said to have been Hideyoshi's request. It is closed except during special openings.
Where to stand
Facing Jikichu-tei, pick out three things in turn: the Fudo triad of stones at the back, the Korean-style lantern on the left (said to have been brought back by Kato Kiyomasa), and the gourd-shaped dry pond in front. The gourd was Hideyoshi's battle emblem, so trace its outline first and then look at the stones. Hato-tei, in front of the main hall, is plain raked gravel, a sharp contrast with the moss.
Practical notes
Open only during special openings; autumn 2026 runs Oct 9–Dec 6 (closed Oct 10, 11, 28), 10:00–15:45 last entry, ¥1,000. Still photos are fine, but no video, selfie sticks, tripods or photos with people in them. Korin-in, Juko-in and Soken-in are a few minutes away inside the same precinct.
Tea and food nearby
Small places within walking distance. Check their opening days against the garden's.
- 3 min walk🍽 FoodIzusen Daiji-in (temple cuisine)
Buddhist vegetarian cooking served in a sub-temple inside the Daitoku-ji precinct, so lunch happens without leaving the temple grounds.
Order：The lightest course (Ayame, ¥4,500) is plenty
- 5 min walkfrom Korin-in Hojo Garden (Daitoku-ji)☕ CafeKoro-an Chaho (tea house)
A tatami tea room serving Uji tea from its own fields. You whisk your own matcha or brew sencha, which makes it easy to talk after a silent morning of gardens.
Order：The make-your-own matcha set
- 11 min walk☕ CafeKissa Hisui (Showa-era coffee house)
A 100-seat coffee house open since 1961 at the Kitaoji-Horikawa corner: roomy enough to sit and plan the rest of the day after two or three temples.