Nishi-Hongan-ji Review

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Nishi-Hongan-ji

  • Address: Shichijo-agaru, Horikawa-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto
  • Phone: 075/371-5181

Fodor's Review:

Set within a sprawling compound with courtyards and gardens, the buildings of this temple are excellent examples of Momoyama-style architecture. This was the center of the Jodo Shinshu sect of Buddhism, founded in 1272 by the daughter of the sect's organizer, Shinran. The marvelous artifacts at this temple were confiscated by Ieyasu Tokugawa from Hideyoshi Toyotomi's Jurakudai Palace in Kyoto and from Fushimi-jo, in southern Kyoto.

Because much of what was dear to Hideyoshi Toyotomi was destroyed by the Tokugawas, it's only at Nishi-Hongan-ji that you can see the artistic works closely associated with his personal life, including the great Kara-mon (Chinese Gate) and the Daisho-in, both brought from Fushimi-jo, and the Noh stage from Jurakudai Palace.

Nishi-Hongan-ji is on Horikawa-dori, a couple of blocks north of Shichijo-dori. Visits to some of the buildings are permitted four times a day by permission from the temple office. Tours of Daisho-in (in Japanese) are given occasionally throughout the year.

  • Cost: Free
  • Open: Mar., Apr., Sept., and Oct., daily 5:30-5:30; May-Aug., daily 5:30 AM-6 PM; Nov.-Feb., daily 6-5
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