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Ryoanji Temple vs Daitoku-ji Temple

Both are endorsed by writers. Overall, Daitoku-ji Temple scores significantly better than Ryoanji Temple. Daitoku-ji Temple comes in at #4 in Kyoto with praise from 5 reviews including Fodor's, Travel + Leisure and Michelin Guide.

Ryoanji Temple
Ryoanji Temple
8 / 10
13 Ryoanji Goryonoshitacho, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 616-8001
From $0 /night
Fodor's Fodor's
"The solemn stones set into the sand at Ryoan-ji's rock garden has become one of Japan's quintessential images." Full review
U.S. News & World Report U.S. News & World Report
5.0
"Every day, hundreds of people visit Ryoanji Temple to see its Zen rock garden – which is probably the most famous of its kind in Japan." Full review
Frommer's Frommer's
"Home to what is probably the most famous Zen rock garden in all of Japan." Full review
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After visiting the rock garden, be sure to take a walk around the temple grounds.
Daitoku-ji Temple
Daitoku-ji Temple
8 / 10
53 Murasakino Daitoku-ji-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 603-8231
From $0 /night
Fodor's Fodor's
"Two dozen temples can be found in this walled compound, a holy place for the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism." Full review
Concierge Concierge
"You could spend a few hours wandering, and easily believe you've gone back in time."
Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
"The riverside 685-year-old Zen monastery has 24 temples on the property." Full review
Michelin Guide 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." Full review