Japanese temples don’t come much grander than Higashi-Hongan-ji. It’s one of the best sights near Kyoto Station. Five minutes walk and you’re there.
Higashi Hongan-ji: SandraSWC / Shutterstock.com
Walk straight out of the Karasuma Gate (main north exit) of Kyoto Station, pass the Starbucks and Yodobashi Camera, cross Shichijo-dori Street and you’ll find yourself standing in front of a truly staggering sight: Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple. Everything about this temple is on a vast scale, starting with the main gate and continuing to the main hall (the Goei-do Hall), which is one of the largest wooden buildings in the world. You can enter the mains halls for free and you should do just that. While the altars and Buddha images are usually hidden behind enormous sliding doors, the halls themselves are spectacular. Gold leaf abounds and you can sit quietly on the floor and soak up the atmosphere for as long as you want. If you’d like to do some sightseeing as soon as you arrive in town, this should be your first stop.
English address:
Karasuma-dori, Shichijo-agaru, Shimogyo-ku
Japanese address:
下京区烏丸通七条上ル
Opening hours:
5.50am-5.30pm March-October
6.20am-4.30pm November-February
Admission: Free
Non-smoking area: Yes
Nearest Transport:
5min walk from JR Kyoto station Karasuma central gate
Nearest Hotels:
:: Check availability and pricing for hotels near to Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Telephone:
371-9181
Website:
Official Website (English)

Where Is This Place Located?
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Near To Here:
Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple is located in Kyoto Station area. See our complete list of things to do in Kyoto Station area, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
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