Higashihonganji Temple

Higashi Hongan-ji Temple is the head temple of the Otani School of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism and is formally known as Shinshu Honbyo. It is called Higashi Hongan-ji to distinguish it from Nishi Hongan-ji of the Honganji School located on Horikawa Street and is affectionately known as "Ohigashi-san." With Shinran Shonin as its founder, the temple established a mausoleum in Kyoto Otani and later moved between various locations before returning to Kyoto during the era of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Internal divisions within the religious community eventually led to the separation into Higashi Hongan-ji and Nishi Hongan-ji. The Miedo-mon Gate facing Karasuma Street, about a 5-minute walk from Kyoto Station, is considered one of Kyoto’s three great gates. This two-story gate stands 28 meters tall and features an irimoya-style roof with traditional tiles. The Miedo Hall, which enshrines a wooden statue of Shinran Shonin, is one of the largest wooden structures in the world, measuring 76 meters wide, 58 meters deep, and 38 meters high, with a footprint larger than that of Todaiji’s Great Buddha Hall. The Amida Hall enshrines the principal image of Amida Buddha and, while about half the size of the Miedo Hall, is still among the largest Buddhist halls in Japan. About 150 meters east of the temple lies Shosei-en Garden, a detached precinct designated as a National Scenic Spot.