Higashi Hongan-ji Temple and other Kyoto, Japan Things to Do Tips

Founded by the first Tokugawa shogun in 1602, the present buildings date from 1895. This temple, which was created independent of Nishi-Honganji Temple by order of the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1602, consists of a number of huge wooden buildings, one of which is among the largest in the world. It is of special importance as for religious matters: Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha (its real name), is the mother temple and headquarters of more than 10,500 temples and churches with 12,000,000 believers in Japan and in countries located throughout the world. The Temple was first established some 700 years ago at Otani Hombyo, the mausoleum of Shinran Shonin, the founder of Jodo Shinshu. Because of persecutions and civil wars in Japan, the Temple was forced to move from place to place in the Kansai area, but with the grant of land in Kyoto from Shogun Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1591, the Temple was permanently established at its present site and through the years many structures, which today are National Treasures and Important Cultural Assets, were added to make the complex that is seen today.

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Directions: 5 minutes walk away from JR Kyoto Station.

Rokuonji Temple (Kinkakuji Temple/Golden Pavilion)
Originally a villa of the Saionji family on the hills of Kitayama, but offered to the third Shogun of the Ashikaga Shogunate, Yoshimitsu Ashikaga in 1397. After his death, the villa was converted into Rokuonji Temple.

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Directions: Close to Kinkakuji-mae stop on the City Bus Service route.
Other Contact: The Temple is known as an epitom

Jishoji Temple (Ginkakuji Temple/Silver Pavilion)
An epitome of the Higashiyama Culture. Originally founded by Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the eighth Shogun of the Ashikaga Shogunate, as his villa in 1482. In this villa, Yoshimasa patronized the tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and various other cultural activities.

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Directions: 3 minute walk from Ginkakuji-mae stop on the City Bus Service route.
10 minute walk from Ginkakuji-michi stop on the City Bus Service route.
Other Contact: Silver Pavilion (National Treasu

Headquarters of the Honganji School of the Jodo-Shin sect. Founded in 1272 by a daughter of Shinran, the sect's founder. Seen by some as one of the best examples of Momoyama-style architecture, and the finest in Kyoto. From gardens to buildings and art works, it has a wealth of National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. The northern Noh stage is considered the oldest in Japan. In 1602, concerned that the sect was growing too strong, the shogun gave a former abbot permission to open a new branch. Thus the main temple split into two schools: the Otani School (Higashi-Honganji Temple = East) & the Honganji School (Nishi-Honganji Temple = West). In December 1994, Nishi-Honganji Temple was registered as part of the World Cultural Heritage.

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Kyo-oh-gokokuji Temple
(Toji Temple)
Kyo-oh-gokokuji Temple, commonly known as Toji (East Temple), was established in 796 A.D., at the time of the foundation of the ancient Heian-kyo capital, as a protective guardian temple of the nation, together with short-lived Saiji (West Temple). To protect the capital from evil spirits, Toji Temple was erected to the east of the southern gate Rasho-mon, one of the four gates in the four directions of the ancient capital.

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Directions: Close to Toji-tomon-mae stop on the City Bus Service route.
10 minute walk from Toji Station of the Kintetsu Kyoto Railway Line.
Other Contact: The 57 m five-storied pagoda (Na

The Philosopher's walk is a 2-kilometer path running along a canal from some where near the Silver Pavilion(Ginkakuji) south toward Nyakuzutsuji Shrine. It is known as the Philosopher's Walk because a well-known Japanese philosopher, Kitaro Nishida, used to stroll along the route for meditation. The walk has long been a favourite among contemplative strollers. It is a peaceful place to walk.

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Directions: From Ginkakuji to Nanznji along the canal.

I like these "statues". On the left, it says knowledge, and on the right, it says compassion.

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There are several temples on Mount Hiei. One of which is an important cultural asset and the most important temple on Mt. Hiei. The monks take their solemn vows and accept their Mahayana religious percepts here.
History: In 822 A.D. the Emperor "Saga" permitted this temple to be built a week after the death of Dengyo Daishi Saicho, the founder of the Tendai Denomination, who had devoted his life and soul to this temple. His successor, Gishin, the first Zasu, built it in 828A.D. It was in this temple that Mahayana Buddhism officially declared its independence from Nara and Hinayana Buddhism in Japan.
The picture shows the Kompon-chu-do Hall in the background (a National Treasure) built in 788 A.D. This temple has always been a center for religious practive, fostering many Buddhist leaders. This temple still has its solemn religious atmosphere.
In the temple, we were told by the chief priest that there is a candle which has a flame that has not been extinguished for thousands of years. Amazing!

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Address: Mount Hiei.
Directions: Accessible via a tram from Kyoto up to the mountain top. It can also be accessible by car, but the road up the mountain is a toll-road which you gotta pay. Toll is not cheap.

Hongwanji Temple (Nishi-Hongwanji Temple)
Originated in a small memorial chapel Goei-do Hall, enshrining an image of Priest Shinran. This chapel, built by his daughter Kakushin-ni, was located where now Chionin Temple exists, and was relocated to its present site in 1591.

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Directions: 15 minute walk from JR Kyoto Station.
Close to Nishi-honganji-mae stop on the City Bus Service route.
Other Contact: The head temple of the Jodoshin

According to legend, Priest Enchin built his hermitage and a small chapel here in 778 A.D. With support from General Sakanoue no Tamuramaro, the Temple was erected in 798.
Many of the present buildings were reconstructed between 1631 and 1633 by order of Shogun Iemitsu Tokugawa.

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Directions: 15 minute walk from either Kiyomizu-dera or Gojo-zaka stop on the City Bus Service route.
Other Contact: The approach slope leads to Nioh