Honganji Temples

Nishi Honganji (西本願寺) and Higashi Honganji (東本願寺) are two of Kyoto’s most important Buddhist temples, serving as the headquarters of the Jodo Shinshu (True Pure Land) sect, one of Japan’s largest Buddhist traditions. Nishi Honganji, founded in 1591 under the patronage of warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. Its temple grounds showcase exquisite architecture from the Azuchi-Momoyama and early Edo periods, including the Goeido Hall, Amida Hall, and Karamon Gate, all renowned for their intricate wooden carvings, lacquerwork, and elaborate decorative details. Several of the temple’s structures are designated as National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, reflecting their historical and artistic value. The temple also features beautiful sliding screen paintings (fusuma-e) and an impressive assembly hall used for religious services and large gatherings.

Higashi Honganji, established in 1602 as a separate branch following political divisions within the Jodo Shinshu sect, stands just a short walk from Kyoto Station. Its massive Goeido Hall is one of the largest wooden structures in the world, dedicated to Shinran, the sect’s founder. The hall’s vast wooden columns and its elegant yet simple interior embody the humility central to Pure Land Buddhist teachings. Behind Higashi Honganji lies the serene Shoseien Garden, a traditional stroll garden originally built for the temple’s abbots, offering seasonal beauty with its ponds, bridges, and ever-changing foliage throughout the year. Both Nishi and Higashi Honganji remain active centers of worship, cultural preservation, and education, providing visitors with profound insights into the living traditions of contemporary Japanese Buddhism and Kyoto’s deep spiritual heritage.