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Home - Travel - Sightseeing Guide - Kansai - Kyoto - Central Kyoto
Honganji Temples	# 21   of 56 most visited sights in Kyoto
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Nishi Honganji (西本願寺) and Higashi Honganji (東本願寺) are two large temples in the center of Kyoto. As headquarters of the two factions of the Jodo-Shin Sect (True Pure Land Sect), one of Japan's largest Buddhist sects, they are a good place to experience contemporary Japanese Buddhism. Construction Notice: Nishi Honganji has only recently completed a major renovation of its main hall and is now back to normal. Meanwhile, Higashi Honganji completed renovation works on its main hall in 2009, but the adjacent Amida Hall is now covered by a huge roof in preparation for renovation works, which will fully start in 2011. Nishi Honganji's Goeido (left) and Amidado (right) Nishi Honganji (West Honganji) was built in 1591 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, after the sect's former head temple, Ishiyama Honganji in Osaka had been destroyed by Oda Nobunaga due to the temple's interference in politics. Nishi Honganji is the head temple of the Honganji faction of the Jodo-Shin sect with over 10,000 subtemples across the country and 200 temples overseas. Nishi Honganji's two largest structures are the Goeido Hall, dedicated to Shinran, the sect's founder, and the Amidado Hall dedicated to the Amida Buddha, the most important Buddha in Jodo-Shin Buddhism. The temple also displays some surviving masterpieces of architecture from the Azuchi-Momoyama Period and early Edo Period, including the celebrated Hiunkaku Pavilion. Nishi Honganji is designated an UNESCO world heritage site. Higashi Honganji's grounds seen from Kyoto Tower in autumn 2006 Higashi Honganji (East Honganji) was built only eleven years after and a few street blocks east of Nishi Honganji as the head temple of the Otani faction of Jodo-shin Buddhism. Its main hall, the Goeido is Kyoto's largest wooden structure and dedicated to Shinran, the sect's founder. Next to it and almost as large is the Amidado Hall, dedicated to the Amida Buddha. A small Japanese garden named Shoseien is located another few street blocks east of Higashi Honganji and serves as a detached temple residence of Higashi Honganji. Today, the garden with its pond and beautiful autumn colors is open to the public. Shoseien Garden Any Questions? Ask them in our question forum.

How to get there

The Honganji temples are located a 10-15 minute walk north of Kyoto Station. How to get to and around Kyoto

Hours and Fees

Nishi Honganji Hours: 5:30 to 17:30 (March, April, September, October) 5:30 to 18:00 (May to August) 6:00 to 17:00 (November to February) Closed: No closing days Admission: Free Higashi Honganji Hours: 5:50 to 17:30 (March to October) 6:20 to 16:30 (November to February) Closed: No closing days Admission: Free Shoseien Garden Hours: 9:00 to 15:30 Closed: No closing days Admission: 500 yen

Hotels and Ryokan

Sponsor Hotels Hotel Sanoya 3 min from north exit of JR Kyoto Sta. but in quiet area. Cozy, clean Japanese rooms with bath. Internet PC in lobby. Ryokan Wakamiya Inexpensive, cozy inn with helpful staff. 7 min walk from JR Kyoto Sta. Free Internet PC. Communal baths on top floor. Backpackers Hostel K's House Kyoto Voted No.1 hostel chain worldwide for 2010 by Hostelworld.com customers. 9 min. walk from JR Kyoto Station. Bed from 2,300 yen. Satomo Ryokan A ryokan renewed in autumn 2010. 3min walk from JR Kyoto Station. Offering Japanese-style comforts and convenience.

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News and Reports

December 2, 2011 Kyoto Autumn Color Report by schauwecker November 30, 2011 Kyoto Autumn Color Report by schauwecker November 29, 2011 Kyoto Autumn Color Report by scott November 28, 2011 Kyoto Autumn Color Report by scott November 27, 2011 Kyoto Autumn Color Report by schauwecker November 24, 2011 Yoshiminedera and Southwest Kyoto by Rabbityama November 22, 2011 Kyoto Autumn Color Report by schauwecker November 20, 2011 Kyoto Autumn Color Report by schauwecker More reports...

Travel Community

Ratings for Honganji Temples: japan-guide.com Rating:   outstanding   User Rating (by 275 users): 77/100   recommended Popularity of Honganji Temples: Users who have been to Kyoto: 4514 Users who have been to Honganji Temples: 560 21st of 56 most visited sights in Kyoto. 90th of 726 most visited sights nationwide. Have you been to Honganji Temples? No - I have not been there yetYes - no ratingYes - highly recommendedYes - recommendedYes - mildly interestingYes - nothing specialYes - not recommended User Feedback We strive to keep japan-guide.com up-to-date and accurate, and are always looking for ways to improve the user experience. If you have any updates, suggestions, corrections or opinions, please let us know:

Tours and Packages

Kyoto Tours Various tours and travel packages for Kyoto and surroundings.

English Links

Nishi Honganji Official English website.

Japanese Links

Nishi Honganji Official website. Higashi Honganji Official website.