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Temples & Shrines

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Daikoku-ji is said to be one of the largest Zen temples in the country but houses the smallest "dry landscape" Zen rock garden. It has 24 sub temples that resemble a small village. Some of the sub temples offer meditation classes.

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Daitoku-ji was constructed in 1319 but was destroyed by a fire and was rebuilt in the 16th century. It is the head Rinzai Buddhist temple of the Daitoku School. This vast temple complex has 24 sub temples forming what resembles a small village. It is one of the largest Zen temples in Japan. Within the sub temples the Daisen-in boasts superb "dry landscape" rock gardens. The Koto-in is renowned for the autumn foliage of its moss garden; and the Ryogen-in is said to be the smallest Zen garden in Japan. Daitoku-ji is also a good place to study Zen Buddhism. Some sub temples even offer meditation lessons. There are also two high-quality Buddhist vegetarian restaurants on the premises.