Nishi Honganji Temple: A Hidden Buddhist Treasure in Kyoto

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Most tourists in Kyoto head straight for iconic sites like the Golden Pavilion or the red gates of Fushimi Inari Taisha. But Nishi Hongan-ji Temple (西本願寺 - nishihonganji) quietly holds a different kind of feeling. As someone who’s lived in Kyoto for many years, I’ve found myself returning here more often than any other temple.

A designated UNESCO World Heritage site, Nishi Honganji is the headquarters of Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism and oversees more than 10,000 branch temples across Japan. It houses seven National Treasures, yet you’ll rarely see more than a handful of visitors at any given time. Just 15 minutes from Kyoto Station, this temple offers a peaceful, spiritual encounter with without the Kyoto crowds.

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The grand Karamon Gate (唐門) and awe-inspiring Amida Hall stand as testaments to centuries of Buddhist artistry and Japanese craftsmanship. If you’re seeking an authentic temple experience, this is one place that speaks directly to the heart.

Let me show you why Nishi Honganji is one of Kyoto’s most underrated treasures—from architectural highlights to the quietest moments for reflection.

The huge temple grounds invite slow wandering. Whether you’re here for photography or quiet reflection, it feels like the city falls away as soon as you step inside. Inside the main worship halls (お堂 / odō), the soft texture of tatami underfoot and the natural light filtering through latticed windows.

Here's something I love: Nishi Honganji isn’t just a sightseeing stop—it’s a living religious site. Visitors are free to:

• Enter the prayer halls (no entrance fee!)
• Take photos of the architecture and interiors
• Visit a small on-site museum about the Jōdo Shinshū sect

You’ll often see locals coming for morning prayers, lighting incense, or just sitting quietly.

One reason I always recommend Nishi Honganji to visitors is its unbeatable location—just minutes from JR Kyoto Station. It’s easy to squeeze in on a half-day itinerary or visit early before the crowds arrive.

Here are your best access options:

• 15-minute walk from Kyoto Station
• 5-minute taxi ride (great for families or rainy days)
• City bus: Take routes 9, 28, or 75 to Nishi Hongwanji-mae stop

Because it’s so close to central Kyoto, you can easily combine a visit here with nearby sights like Higashi Honganji, Kyoto Railway Museum, or even a lunch in the nearby Shimabara district.

After visiting Nishi Honganji many times over the years, I always find myself returning to three specific places. Each one is worth pausing for—and reveals a different layer of the temple’s history.

Standing 8.7 meters tall, the Karamon Gate (唐門) is one of the finest surviving examples of 16th-century temple architecture.

Locals call it the “All Day Gate”—because with over 100 carvings. Details include:

• Peacocks, lions, and tigers
• Mythical creatures like kirin (Chinese qilin)
• Leopards with ringed spots, only discovered during its recent restoration

The gate was fully restored in 2021—and it looks stunning in every season.

Just outside the Founder’s Hall stands one of my favorite spots: a massive ginkgo tree (イチョウ), believed to be over 400 years old. Designated a Natural Monument of Kyoto City, this tree isn’t just old—it’s legendary. Monks say it once helped save the temple from fire by spraying water from its branches.

The grand Amida Hall (阿弥陀堂), built in 1760, is one of the largest wooden buildings in Kyoto. It stretches 45 meters across, with a 25-meter-high roof—truly impressive even from the outside.

But the real treasure lies inside:

• A wooden statue of Amida Buddha, calm and compassionate
• Surrounding portraits of six Pure Land Buddhist masters from India, China, and Japan
• Smaller side altars featuring Hōnen, Shinran’s teacher, and Prince Shōtoku, a key figure in early Japanese Buddhism