|
|
|
|
Higashi-Hongan-ji Review
Read our Kyoto sights reviews. Or post your own.
Higashi-Hongan-ji
- Address: Shichijo-agaru, Karasuma-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto
- Category: Religious Sites
- Location: Shimogyo-ku
Fodor's Review:
Until the early 17th century Higashi-Hongan-ji and Nishi-Hongan-ji were one temple. Then Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa took advantage of an internal feud within the Jodo Shinshu sect of Buddhism and, to diminish its power, split it into two different factions. The original faction has the west temple, Nishi-Hongan-ji, and the later faction the eastern temple, Higashi-Hongan-ji.
The rebuilt (1895) structure of Higashi-Hongan-ji is the second-largest wooden structure in Japan, after Nara's Daibutsu-den. During construction of the temple, female devotees had their hair cut and woven into the strong thick rope -- called kezuna -- used to drag the heavy timber. A ragged section of one kezuna is on display inside the Daishi-do, a double-roofed structure that is admirable for its curving, swooping lines. The temple contains fewer historical objects of interest than its rival, Nishi-Hongan-ji. From Kyoto Station walk 500 yards northwest; from the costume museum walk south on Horikawa-dori.
- Cost: Free
- Open: Mar.-Oct., daily 5:50-5:30; Nov.-Feb., daily 6:20-4:30
Get Advice From Other Travelers
- HELP! Short circuiting on ryokan decision for Kyoto...
11 responses; most recent on 11/04/2008, 03:55 pm - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) Kyoto
13 responses; most recent on 09/21/2008, 04:41 pm - Help with Kyoto to Tempozan Transportation
2 responses; most recent on 09/14/2008, 11:07 pm - Tokyo and Kyoto with 15 month old
7 responses; most recent on 09/13/2008, 06:30 pm
Visit the Travel Talk forums for help on planning your trip >>
- Adventure Travel from
-
Japan Experience
$3,695
Ancient temples and futuristic cities; mist-shrouded... -
Spiritual Japan - Platinum
$14,000
Experience Japan's spiritual realm as...... -
China Experience
$2,795
China, a mysterious land of red pagodas, cosmopolita...
Buy the Guidebook
-
$22
-
$25.95
Get the Fodor's Newsletter
Read the current issue
For more travel ideas, tips, and deals, sign up for the Fodor's newsletter here. Browse previous issues.
