Located at the center of the north end of Chodoin (an office at the Heijo-kyo Palace) of Daidairi (the Greater Imperial Palace), Daigokuden had the Takamikura (the Emperor's seat and its housing) installed inside, where the enthronement ceremonies for Emperors and other national ceremonies were conducted.
大内裏朝堂院の北端中央にあり、殿内に高御座（たかみくら）が据えられ、即位の礼や国家的儀式が行われた。