Daitoku-ji’s Hidden Gem of Moss, Stone, and Autumn Beauty

Ōbai-in（黄梅院）is a rarely accessible sub-temple of Daitoku-ji in Kyoto, renowned for its exquisite moss-covered garden—considered one of Japan’s finest. Open only for a few weeks in November, the temple reveals its full charm during the autumn foliage season.

Founded in 1562 as Ōbai-an, the temple is closely associated with Sen no Rikyu, Japan’s most influential tea master. At age 62, he is said to have designed the garden, which features a Sanzonseki (stone triad symbolizing a Buddhist trinity), a gourd-shaped pond, and an unusual stone lantern brought from Korea by daimyo Kato Kiyomasa.

The Kuri (temple kitchen) is among the oldest in Japan, and the 16th-century sliding door paintings by Unkoku Togan—depicting the “Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove”—have been remarkably preserved.

Rikyu is also believed to have hosted tea gatherings in the Sakumuken tea room (“The Dream of Last Night”) within the Shoin (study).
If you’re in Kyoto during November, don’t miss the chance to visit this seldom-seen temple and its masterfully designed garden.

Read more in our eBook!

eBook cover Obai-in Temple by Real Japanese Gardens

Ōbai-in (Daitoku-ji) Garden Guide

This eBook reveals the seasonal beauty, garden symbolism, and historic artistry of Ōbai-in in Kyoto.
Perfect for tea ceremony enthusiasts, garden designers, and fall travelers.
Learn more before you visit—or revisit from home.

Buy Now
Free Preview
  • Introduction
    • Daitoku-ji
    • History of Ōbai-in
    • Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi
  • Buildings
    • Hondō (Fusuma-e)
    • Shoin
    • Kuri
    • Shōro
    • Kōshin-in
    • Graves
  • Teahouses
    • Fudo-ken
    • Sakumu-ken
    • Kōshun-an
    • Isshi-an
  • Gates
    • Karamon
    • Omotemon
  • Gardens
    • Entry garden
    • Sabutsu-tei
    • Kanza-tei
    • Jikichu-tei
    • Hatō-tei
  • Anika’s Impressions
  • Recommendations around Obai-in
  • How to get there

12 pages full of information about Obai-in
19 pictures and illustrations

PDF 10MB
The eBook is delivered as PDF.

Read more in our Blog:

Visiting Obai-in Temple in Kyoto

Gallery

  • Obai-in of Daitoku-ji temple by Real Japanese Gardens
  • Obai-in of Daitoku-ji temple by Real Japanese Gardens
  • Obai-in of Daitoku-ji temple by Real Japanese Gardens
  • Obai-in of Daitoku-ji temple by Real Japanese Gardens
  • Obai-in of Daitoku-ji temple by Real Japanese Gardens
  • Obai-in of Daitoku-ji temple by Real Japanese Gardens

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    Directions

    How to get to the garden

    Bus: Take the bus 205 or 206 and get off at the stop ‘Daitoku-ji’.
    Subway: Take the Karasuma line to Kitaō-ji station and walk about 15 minutes in a westward direction.

    View Google Map (Google Website)

    Address

    • EN: 〒603-8231, Kyoto-Shi, Kita-Ku, Murasakino, 53 Daitoku-ji-Chō
    • JP: 〒603-8231, 京都市 北区 紫野 大徳寺町53

    Opening times

      Open only irregularly in spring and autumn.
    • between: 10:00 – 16:00

    2025. March 28 - May 18

    Admission fee

    • Adults: 800 yen
    • Junior and High School Students: 400 yen
    • Elementary School Students and younger: free

    (Discount-ticket in combination with Kōrin-in is available.)

    Facilities & Accessibility

    • You can get a goshuin temple seal
    • Simple scenic photography is possible during 2025 Spring opening.
    • The temple is not barrier-free.

    Best time to visit

    • In late April - early May when the moss is beautiful.
    • End of November/ Beginning of December for autumn leaves.

    Map

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