A large sub-temple of Daitoku-ji, Ōbai-in is perhaps not as well-known as nearby Kōtō-in. Established in 1562 on the incentive of the famous warlord Oda Nobunaga to construct a family temple honoring his father, the precincts contain several buildings along a central moss garden. After passing through a spacious front garden, one follows a path outside alongside several tea houses, before reaching a separate entrance building to take off shoes and continue. Inside, you then circle around the central garden to reach the main hall and its surrounding quarters. These buildings are surrounded by several gardens. As with most Zen temples, a south-facing karesansui-style is located on the front side of the main hall, whereas the other gardens combine moss and karesansui elements. The inner courtyard garden is interesting during late autumn, when the maple tree behind it turns red, providing a stark contrast to the otherwise simplistic Zen color palette.
Ōbai-in is now open year-round, but during the early summer (April/May) and autumn (October/November) seasons, it switches to “special opening,” during which photography (unfortunately) is prohibited.

Admission: open year-round, special no-photo period in early summer/autumn.
Nearby places of interest: Ryōgen-in, Kōrin-in, Zuihō-in, Kōtō-in.