Higashi Hongan-ji Temple
Higashi Hongan-ji Temple
4
6:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
6:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
6:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
6:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
6:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
6:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
6:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
6:30 AM - 4:30 PM
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Shimogyo-ku
Shimogyo-ku is centered around the busy train hub, Kyoto Station. A nexus for commerce, shopping, dining, and hotels, the Shimogyo-ku area is infused with tourists and local business travelers, making it a competitive location for ever-new commercial structures. The shops and cafes here are chic and trendy, as a result, with many recognizable chains. Commuters flood the Shimogyo-ku area twice a day, and with Kyoto Station itself being a modern mega-complex and an architectural marvel, this neighborhood is one of the most contemporary and energetic areas that the city has to offer. Buildings here look futuristic, and huge department stores, shopping arcades, and public meeting spaces provide every possible convenience. It is also nearly the only place in Kyoto where rooftop dining and socializing is available, completing its modern tone.
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Best nearby
Restaurants
10,000 within 3 miles
Attractions
2,083 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
773 reviews
Excellent
289
Very good
358
Average
116
Poor
6
Terrible
3
Della G
Coquitlam, Canada808 contributions
Dec 2019
During our stay in Kyoto, our accommodations were not far from this shin temple. The actual construction of this temple dates back to the mid 1600's. The grounds are extensive and the main hall is huge. At the time of visit,there must have been a special ceremony as the hall was quite full and it was very calming and serene with the chanting of the scriptures. The Japanese architecture and detailing of the main temple and the adjacent temple were amazing. The grounds were filled with people but so spacious with sporadic wells, temple bells etc. The temple has been rebuilt several times but it is still mesmerizing to gaze at this structure from afar. This branch of shin religion has a huge congregation judging from the numerous tour buses parked on the perimeter. A lot to absorb if one is interested in this branch of buddhism and last but not least, this place is arch
Written July 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tommy
Calgary, Canada144 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
The Higashi Hongan-ji Temple is a lot larger than I expected and features some massively decorated structures. We respect the amount of care they take and hence you need to take off your shoes before entering. Well worth the visit as it is in the heart of the city, so no reason not to!
Written January 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John W
Jindabyne, Australia492 contributions
Mar 2020 • Solo
I was drawn to the Founder's Hall by the sound of male voices chanting and slipped inside to join the worshippers on the tatami mats. The monks, facing the shrine, chanted steadily with a few punctuations of gong strikes. It was a sound to put one at ease while admiring the great hall. Soon they finished and walked off, only to return to close the screens and shut off the view of the shrine.
The hall itself is a vast structure built of massive timbers that dominates its surroundings. The contrast between the darkened wood and the gilt decoration is striking. A rope of human hair, used to raise the great timbers, is a surprising and impressive exhibit.
The hall itself is a vast structure built of massive timbers that dominates its surroundings. The contrast between the darkened wood and the gilt decoration is striking. A rope of human hair, used to raise the great timbers, is a surprising and impressive exhibit.
Written March 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2CAtravelers
Brattleboro, VT876 contributions
Apr 2023
Our taxi driver dropped us off here while he waited. It was near closing time so we had to rush. The massive scale of this temple is quite impressive. The decor is beautiful and you really have a sense of awe when you are inside. The grounds are extensive as well so there are several things to see. There is also a small gift shop near the entrance. It's worth a visit if you have time.
Written June 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annie
Stockbridge, GA15 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
If you want to get berated by security guard, than come here. We do not know what we did wrong, but we were shouted at here.
Written May 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thelma S
Horn Lake, MS13 contributions
May 2021 • Family
There were many locals who looked at us funny. They smirked at us. We know not why. It was a not properly cleaned complex.
Written May 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paulandpaula2011
Bonita Springs, FL226 contributions
Aug 2019
For us, this was the most beautiful temple in all of Kyoto. It is the most stunning architecture and woodwork. The gold leaves us breathless and we have seen many Thai and Japanese temples, and this sacred places blows them all away.
Written September 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
YTCHENG
Hong Kong, China15,491 contributions
Nov 2019
Higashi Hongan-ji Temple was located about 10 minutes walking distance from JR Kyoto Station. The temple complex was large but peaceful and visitors were free to enter. Claimed to be the second largest structure in Japan, it was one of the head temple of Jodo Shinshu sect of Pure Land Buddhism. It was originally built in 1604 but destroyed by fires four times and the present structures were constructed by late 19th century. The several halls and gates have different stories and highly recommended to visitors traveling to Kyoto.
Written December 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mzzyap
Philippines2,555 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
Less than 15-minute-walk north of Kyoto Station. We stumbled upon this temple since it was close to our hotel. It's FREE to visit the Higashi Hongan-ji Temple. The Shoseien Garden's admission fee is 500YEN. The sprawling grounds require more time to explore.
Written July 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bozeman-Dublin
Trim, Ireland8,860 contributions
Jun 2019 • Solo
This is an awesome, welcoming, friendly Buddhist Temple Complex astonishing in its scale and beauty. It dates back to 1602 but was lost to fire a few times so most of what you see dates back to the last major rebuild in 1895.
I have to credit Lonely Planet here as it suggested it as a place to go if you were near Kyoto Station but an intended quickish visit turned into a full morning. It's a stunner really and completely free, I'm not sure why it's not more talked about and more vaunted.
It's only a short walk from Kyoto Station, 6 or 7 minutes. It's just beyond Kyoto Tower which is a good way for you to find it.
The vast Main Hall or Goei-do is supposed to be the second largest wooden structure in Japan, its beautiful roof reaching 38m. Go in and enjoy the peace and tranquility. You'll have to take your shoes off.
Outside towrds the equally stunning adjoining Amida-do Hall there is a huge hair rope dating to 1895. Rope at the time was of poor quality apparently and human hair was better. So a group of female followers donated their hair to make the rope used to haul the colossal wooden beams into place.
The Amida-do is lovely too, such a relaxing place to wander or just sit and contemplate.
I loved the rich smell of age old wood that permeates the whole place.
There is also a very interesting museum and audio visual room too telling you about the history of the monastery and its founder a well as Shinran the founder of this sect of buddhism.
Just an amazing find. Loved every minute of it.
I have to credit Lonely Planet here as it suggested it as a place to go if you were near Kyoto Station but an intended quickish visit turned into a full morning. It's a stunner really and completely free, I'm not sure why it's not more talked about and more vaunted.
It's only a short walk from Kyoto Station, 6 or 7 minutes. It's just beyond Kyoto Tower which is a good way for you to find it.
The vast Main Hall or Goei-do is supposed to be the second largest wooden structure in Japan, its beautiful roof reaching 38m. Go in and enjoy the peace and tranquility. You'll have to take your shoes off.
Outside towrds the equally stunning adjoining Amida-do Hall there is a huge hair rope dating to 1895. Rope at the time was of poor quality apparently and human hair was better. So a group of female followers donated their hair to make the rope used to haul the colossal wooden beams into place.
The Amida-do is lovely too, such a relaxing place to wander or just sit and contemplate.
I loved the rich smell of age old wood that permeates the whole place.
There is also a very interesting museum and audio visual room too telling you about the history of the monastery and its founder a well as Shinran the founder of this sect of buddhism.
Just an amazing find. Loved every minute of it.
Written June 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Higashi Hongan-ji Temple
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- (0.04 mi) Fountain in front of Higashi Honganji Temple
Higashi Hongan-ji Temple Information
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