Honganji Temples

What to know

Nishi Honganji (西本願寺) and Higashi Honganji (東本願寺) are two large temples in central Kyoto. As headquarters of the two factions of the Jodo-Shin Sect (True Pure Land Sect), one of Japan's most popular Buddhist sects, they offer a great opportunity to experience contemporary Japanese Buddhism.

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 political involvement. Nishi Honganji is the head temple of the Honganji faction of the Jodo-Shin sect, with over 10,000 subtemples across Japan 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 architectural masterpieces from the Azuchi-Momoyama Period and early Edo Period, including the celebrated Hiunkaku Pavilion. Nishi Honganji is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Higashi Honganji (East Honganji) was built only eleven years later and a few 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 is 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 a few more 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.

The Honganji temples are a 10-15 minute walk north of Kyoto Station.