Daikaku-ji Temple

Daikaku-ji Temple is a historic temple in Kyoto, Japan, that was originally built as the detached palace of Emperor Saga in the early 800s. The temple is one of the highest ranked temples of Shingon Buddhism and has played a significant role in Japanese history, including hosting peace talks that reunited the Northern and Southern Imperial Courts. The temple features several buildings, including the Heart Sutra Hall, which houses a handwritten copy of the Heart Sutra by Emperor Saga, and the Reihokan, a small museum that displays special exhibitions of the temple's treasures. The temple grounds also include Osawa Pond, a 1200-year-old man-made body of water that is the oldest and last surviving example of a Shinden-style garden. Visitors can walk around the garden, visit the buildings, and enjoy the natural scenery around the pond, which is especially popular during the cherry blossom and autumn color seasons