Chion-in
知恩院
The head temple of the Pure Land school. Its Sanmon gate is one of the largest surviving wooden temple gates in Japan. It is located north of Yasaka Shrine and Maruyama Park.
Chion-in is the head temple of the Pure Land school of Japanese Buddhism. It grew out of the place where Honen Shonin passed away. The Sanmon gate, completed in 1621, is about 24 meters tall and is one of the largest two-story wooden gates in Japan. It is designated a National Treasure. The massive Mieido hall, completed in a major restoration in 2020, is also a National Treasure. The giant bell in the bell tower weighs about 70 tons, and every New Year's Eve, 17 monks strike it together, a spectacular sight. Entry to the grounds is free, while the Yuzen-en garden and abbot's garden cost about 500 yen. Night illumination is held in spring and autumn. Getting there: it is about an 8-minute walk from Higashiyama Station on the subway, or you can walk north from Yasaka Shrine or Maruyama Park. It fits well into an Higashiyama route that includes Kiyomizu-dera, Yasaka Shrine, and Shoren-in.
Opening hours
05:00–16:00 (garden 09:00–16:00; check official website)
Nearby sights
- Kodai-ji
- Yasaka Shrine
- Gion & Hanamikoji Street
- Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka
- Kiyomizu-dera
- Heian Jingu
- Pontocho
- Nanzen-ji