The temple complex of Daigoji at the base of eastern Kyoto’s Kami-Daigo mountain is one of the city’s largest and oldest Buddhist complexes. The complex consists of three parts, being Sanb\u014d-in (garden); Kami-Daigo (upper) and Shimo-Daigo (lower). Although you can easily spend a whole day walking through the entirety of the grounds, the latter section in particular draws visitors from across the world for its iconic scenery and 1.000-year-old pagoda.<\/p>\n
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Kondo, the Golden Hall<\/strong>
\nEntering through the main gate of the Shimo-Daigo is already a humbling experience with the trees embracing the path in front of you. As you move further, the Kondo appears behind a thinner line of trees. This hall is Daigoji’s main hall, where its Buddhist monks chant their sutras and conduct their religious activities. The building, however, was not Daigoji’s original hall; nor was it actually built here first. It was relocated to its current location 100 kilometers south from Daigoji Temple in Wakayama Prefecture around 1600 AD.<\/p>\n