Higashi Honganji Temple

Higashi Honganji Temple is the head temple of the Shinshu Otani sect (a branch of the Jodo Shinshu School) of Buddhism, and its official name is Shinshu Honbyo. It was built in 1602 by the 12th head priest, Kyonyo, after receiving land from Tokugawa Ieyasu. Kyoto residents refer to the temple affectionately as ”Ohigashi-san.” Higashi Honganji Temple was burned down four times in the late Edo Period and all the buildings seen today were rebuilt during or after the Meiji Period. The temple houses numerous cultural treasures such as Kyogyoshinsho (Collection of Passages Expounding the True Teaching, Living, Faith, and Realizing of the Pure Land), which was handwritten by Shinran and designated as a National Treasure, as well as Honganji Shonin Dene (a colored Buddhist scroll illustrating the life of Shinran), which is an Important Cultural Property.

・Amida Hall and Goeido (Founder's Hall) leave visitors in awe
Amida Hall is where the temple's principle image of worship, Amida Nyorai, is enshrined. Additionally, a statue of Shinran Shonin, the founder of the Jodo Shinshu School, is enshrined within Goeido, which is one of the world's largest wooden buildings, encompassing a space of 927 tatami mats (approximately 1,691 square meters). Goeido is designated by the government as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property. Amida Hall and Goeido are connected by a covered corridor and their sheer size leaves visitors in awe.

・Shosei-en Garden, which is separate from the main temple complex, allows visitors to enjoy the tranquil nature of the seasons
A five-minute walk from Higashi Honganji Temple takes you to the temple's remote garden, Shosei-en Garden. It is said that the third Tokugawa Shogun, Iemitsu, granted the temple this land in 1641, and the strolling garden surrounding the pond was designed by incorporating ideas from Jozan Ishikawa. Seasonal flowers bloom quietly in the garden, frequently changing its appearance according to the seasons. The garden is so beautiful that it is also called the Garden with Thirteen Beautiful Sceneries. It was designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty in 1936.