Daishoji Temple Corridor

Daishoji Temple Covered Corridor: A Hidden Gem of Imperial Buddhist Architecture

Tucked away on a quiet stretch of Karasuma-dori, just northwest of the Kyoto Imperial Palace and beside the modern campus of Doshisha University, Daishoji Temple (大聖寺) guards a heritage that stretches back to the age of shoguns and emperors. Among the temple's many registered tangible cultural properties, the covered corridor — known in Japanese as the watari-rōka (渡り廊下) — stands as an elegant yet understated piece of architectural craftsmanship that physically and symbolically connects the sacred halls of one of Kyoto's most distinguished imperial nunneries.

What Is Daishoji Temple?

Daishoji is a Rinzai Zen temple of independent affiliation, bearing the mountain name Gakushōzan (岳松山). Its principal image is Shaka Nyorai (the historical Buddha). The temple carries the prestigious honorary title Otera Gosho (御寺御所), meaning "Palace of the Temple," a distinction reflecting the fact that over the centuries a total of 24 imperial princesses served as its head abbess. This places Daishoji at the very pinnacle of the hierarchy of ama monzeki — nunneries traditionally presided over by members of the imperial family.

The temple was founded in 1382 during the Muromachi period. Its origins lie in the Okamatsudono, a residence that Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu established within his grand "Hana no Gosho" (Flower Palace) compound for the nun Musō Jōen (日野宣子), a consort of the retired Emperor Kōgon. After Musō Jōen's passing, the residence was converted into a temple bearing the name Daishoji, derived from her posthumous Buddhist name.

The Covered Corridor: Architectural Overview

The watari-rōka of Daishoji is a single-story wooden structure with a tile roof, rebuilt in 1942 (Showa 17). As a connecting passageway between the main buildings of the temple compound, it plays an essential role in the spatial composition of the entire precinct. Covered corridors of this type are a hallmark of aristocratic and imperial-affiliated temple architecture in Kyoto, enabling residents and visitors to move between halls — the Main Hall, the Miyagoten (Imperial-style Hall), the entrance, and the tea room — without stepping outside, preserving the refined atmosphere of a cloistered religious community.

The structure's clean lines, unadorned wooden columns, and gentle proportions are typical of the restrained elegance favored in Showa-era restorations of historic temple precincts. The corridor's design respects the aesthetic traditions of earlier periods while incorporating the practical sensibilities of its time.

Why Was It Designated a Cultural Property?

On January 26, 2011, the covered corridor was registered as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (building) by the Japanese government, together with eight other structures within the Daishoji compound: the Main Hall, the Entrance Hall, the Miyagoten, the tea room Zangetsu-tei, the front gate, high fences, and two sections of earthen wall. This comprehensive registration recognized the temple compound as a remarkably well-preserved example of an ama monzeki temple precinct, where each building contributes to the overall character and historical significance of the whole.

Japan's registration system for tangible cultural properties was established in 1996 to protect a wide range of historic structures — including those from the modern era — that might otherwise be lost to redevelopment or neglect. The covered corridor, though rebuilt in the early Showa period, is valued as an integral element that maintains the traditional spatial arrangement and architectural continuity of the nunnery.

Highlights and Points of Interest

While Daishoji is normally closed to the public, special openings have been held on several occasions, most recently during the "Kyō no Fuyu no Tabi" (Kyoto Winter Journey) campaigns in 2013 and 2020. During these rare opportunities, visitors can appreciate the full ensemble of registered cultural properties, including the covered corridor, in context.

The Main Hall

Relocated in 1943 from the Aoyama Imperial Palace in Tokyo, the Main Hall originally served as the residence of Empress Dowager Teimei. This extraordinary provenance makes it one of the most historically significant temple buildings in Kyoto.

The Miyagoten (Imperial Hall)

This Edo-period hall features elegant sukiya-style design elements and houses painted sliding doors by Mochizuki Gyokusen depicting deer among autumn grasses and cranes over waves.

The Karesansui Garden

Designated a Kyoto City Scenic Beauty, this dry landscape garden was created around 1697 using materials from the riverside palace of Empress Meishō. Its east-west flowing composition evokes the refined aesthetics of the imperial court.

The Tea Room Zangetsu-tei

Built in 1938, this tea room is another registered cultural property that exemplifies the interplay of tradition and modernity within the compound.

The Temple's Imperial Legacy

Daishoji's extraordinary connection to the imperial household is reflected throughout the temple. Emperor Go-Mizunoo frequently visited in the early Edo period to enjoy poetry and linked verse with the abbesses. In 1769, under the abbess Tengan Eikō (a daughter of Emperor Nakamikado), the temple received official recognition as a "Gosho" — an imperial palace — cementing its status at the apex of Japan's nunnery hierarchy.

The temple also preserves important cultural treasures associated with the imperial court, including dolls beloved by successive abbesses, calligraphy, ceremonial garments, and other court artifacts. A stone monument in the precinct marks the site of the original "Hana no Gosho," the grand estate of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu that once stood here.

Nearby Attractions

Daishoji's location in the heart of Kyoto's cultural district makes it an ideal starting point for exploring the surrounding area.

• Kyoto Imperial Palace (Kyoto Gosho) — A short walk southeast, the former imperial residence offers free guided tours of its magnificent halls, gates, and gardens.
• Shokokuji Temple — The head temple of the Shokokuji branch of Rinzai Zen, located nearby, houses a fine art museum with masterpieces by Itō Jakuchū and other artists.
• Doshisha University Campus — The adjacent campus features handsome Meiji-era brick buildings that are registered cultural properties in their own right.
• Nishijin Textile Center — A short distance west, this center showcases the traditional weaving techniques of Kyoto's famous Nishijin district, with kimono fashion shows and weaving demonstrations.