Chion-in Temple

Sometimes called the Vatican of Pure Land Buddhism, this vast temple is one of the most and popular temples in the city. It’s highly recommended.

Chion-in Sanmon temple. Editorial credit: Aberu.Go / Shutterstock.com
Chion-in Sanmon temple: Aberu.Go / Shutterstock.com

Everything about Chion-in is on a grand scale, starting with the vast san-mon gate that serves as the official entrance to the compound. Before entering the temple, take a moment to admire the mind-bogglingly complex joinery that went into the construction of the san-mon gate. Then, step through and climb the steep steps up to the main compound (note that this staircase was used as a set in the 2003 Tom Cruise film The Last Samurai).

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Cross the open plaza and you’ll soon be struck by the awesome sight on the main hall of the temple (known in Japanese as the “Miei-do”). It’s free to enter this hall and we highly recommend that you do: put your shoes in a bag and enter the hall and just spend a few minutes (or hours) soaking up the chanting of the priests. After this, don’t miss the fine image of Amida Buddha in the adjoining Amida-do Hall then climb the steps to see the temple’s 70-ton bell which is rung on New Year’s Eve.

Destination

Check-in date

Check-out date

Walking Tour: Chion-in Temple features in our Private Walking Tour of Southern Higashiyama

English address:
400 Rinka-cho, Higashiyama-ku

Japanese address::
東山区林下町400

Opening hours:
9:00am-4:30pm, last entry 4:00pm

Admission:
Grounds: free

Inner buildings and gardens:
Adults: ¥400
Junior and elementary school students: ¥200

Non-smoking area: Yes

Nearest Transport:
5-min walk from Chion-in-mae Bus Stop, Kyoto City Bus 206 from Kyoto Station
15-min walk from Higashiyama Station, Tozai subway line

Nearest Hotels:
:: Check availability and pricing for hotels near to Chion-in Temple on Booking.com or Agoda.com.

Telephone: 531-2111

Website:
Official website (Japanese)

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Near To Here:
Chion-in Temple is located in Kyoto’s Southern Higashiyama district. See our complete list of things to do in Southern Higashiyama, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.

Kyoto Walking Tour: Classic Southern Higashiyama

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A former author of Lonely Planet Kyoto and Lonely Planet Japan guidebooks, Chris is also the director of the Kyoto walking tour company Chris Rowthorn Tours, and Japan Travel Consulting, where you can get bespoke travel advice for your Japan trip.
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