Daitoku-ji Temple vs Kyoto Imperial Palace
Both are recommended by expert reviewers. On balance, Daitoku-ji Temple ranks marginally higher than Kyoto Imperial Palace. Daitoku-ji Temple scores 88 with recommendations from 5 sources such as Lonely Planet, Fodor's and Travel + Leisure.
Daitoku-ji Temple
53 Murasakino Daitoku-ji-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 603-8231
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Fodor's
"Two dozen temples can be found in this walled compound, a holy place for the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism."
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Concierge
"You could spend a few hours wandering, and easily believe you've gone back in time."
Travel + Leisure
"The riverside 685-year-old Zen monastery has 24 temples on the property."
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Michelin Guide
3 Stars
"Daitoku-ji is a vast Buddhist complex reminiscent of a miniature village, whose single main temple is surrounded by 22 sub-temples."
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Kyoto Imperial Palace
3 Kyoto-Gyoen Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 602-0881
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Fodor's
"The present structure dates from 1855. It's hardly palatial, though fine in its way; the ingenious cypress-bark roof is particularly attractive."
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You can usually arrange a same-day visit by showing your passport at the office in the park's northwest corner, or you can make a request online.
Michelin Guide
1 Star
"The first Imperial Palace was built in 794 and since then has been burned down and rebuilt a total of 16 times."
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Frommer's
"The palace shows the restful designs of the peaceful Heian Period, and the emperor's private garden is graceful."
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Lonely Planet
Top Choice
"The surrounding Kyoto Imperial Palace Park is open to the public from dawn to dusk and can be visited freely."
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