Nishi Hongan-ji Temple
4.4 (4800)
堀川通花屋町下る Honganji Monzencho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8501, Japan
Temple dating to the 16th century & headquarters of the Hongwanji sect of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism.
Duration: 01h00min
+81 75-371-5181
outdoor
free
daytime
traditional
temples
Opening hours
Mondays: 5:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesdays: 5:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesdays: 5:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursdays: 5:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Fridays: 5:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturdays: 5:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Sundays: 5:30 AM – 5:00 PM
review(s)
4800 review(s)
Love Ukulele 2 weeks ago
Very impressive Japanese Temple built in 16 century Beautiful architecture Free entrance Walking distance from Kyoto station
Laurens Willis 2 months ago
We were staying nearby and woke up to the temple bells. Curious about the bells we visited the shrine and discovered it was "Shinran's Day", which is observed once each month. The temple complex is free to enter and very large, but not crowded like some other large sites. There is a shop and café in one of the modern buildings.
Deki 4 months ago
A street far from East temple. A big ginkgo tree inside. I saw a monk guiding a group of people. Monk also chanting here.
Anna Krzak 4 months ago
Nishi Honganji is a Jōdo Shinshū Buddhist temple. It serves as the head temple of the sub-sect Honganji-ha. The original Hongan-ji was established as a temple in 1321 in the different location. In its current location was founded in 1591. Among complex attractions are: 1/ Founder's Hall (Goeidō) with statue of Shinran, the founder of Jōdo Shinshū as a primary object of worship. Hall was constructed between 1880 and 1895, after previous building burned down. It is one of the largest wooden structures in the world (it is 76 m long, 58 m wide and 38 m tall), it can accommodate up to 3000 people at one time. 2/ The Karamon gate built probably around 1598 and moved to Nishi Hongan-ji in 1632. It has many quality carvings with images of flowers, animals and fantastic figures, for example legendary hermit Xu You beside a waterfall, a farmer cleaning his ox. 3/ The "Amida Hall" rebuilt in 1760 and measuring 45 by 42 metres, with a height on 25 metres. It houses a sculpture of Amida Buddha. Nishi Hongan-ji was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, as part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. The Temple is open from 05:30 to 17:00. Admission is free.
yunus emre demir 5 months ago
Located in central Kyoto. It's free to visit and comparatively very interesting because I paid other temples which are not worth visiting by payment but this temple is definitely beautiful. If you have time you shouldn't miss this wonder. A very beautiful example of wood craftsmanship.