Kyoto · Northeast Kyoto
Honen-in Temple
Honen-in stands where, in the early 13th century, the monk Honen, founder of the Pure Land school, prayed with two of his disciples. In 1206 two women from the court of the retired Emperor Go-Toba joined them and became nuns. Honen was exiled, the two disciples were executed, and the place was abandoned for generations. The current temple was built from 1680, on the initiative of the head of Chion-in and by his disciple. Since 1953 it has been an independent temple.
Right after the thatched gate you pass between two white sand mounds, the byakusadan. The sand symbolizes water, and passing between them symbolizes purification before you enter the sacred ground. The building that was the temple's bathhouse, from 1694, was renovated in 1977 and is now a hall for lectures, exhibitions and concerts.
Good to know
- The halls, the Hojo garden and the door paintings are open only twice a year: 1 to 7 April and 18 to 24 November, 09:30-16:00, ¥800. The rest of the year you pray from the veranda facing the main hall.
- Three famous camellia varieties grow in the inner courtyard and bloom from late March to mid-April. You can see them only during the April opening.
- The grounds open at 06:00, two and a half hours before Ginkaku-ji. If you get up early, you can start here and continue north to Ginkaku-ji for its opening.
What is nearby
Approximate walking minutes from the entrance of Honen-in Temple.
- HereHonen-in Temple
- ~4 min
GOSPEL Cafe
A 35-seat cafe near the Philosopher's Path, known for its scones and cakes. Lunch on weekdays only. Cash only.
- ~6 min
Botanic Coffee Kyoto Cafe
A cafe in the basement of an old building on Shishigatani street, with antique furniture and a green terrace. At lunch, 11:00-14:00, a croque madame with salad and a drink, ¥1,700.
- ~7 min
Hakusasonso Hashimoto Kansetsu Garden and Museum More to see
The house and garden that the painter Hashimoto Kansetsu built for himself from 1916, with exhibition halls for his paintings. This is the same painter who donated the cherry trees to the Philosopher's Path. ¥1,300. In October 2026 one of the two exhibition halls closes on and off during an exhibition change.
- ~7 min
Omen Ginkakuji Honten Food
The first Omen restaurant, from 1967: thick udon that you dip in broth, with seasonal vegetables and sesame. ¥1,520, and there is also a version with vegetarian (shojin) broth for ¥1,620.
- ~10 min
Kanou Shojuan Kyoto Chashitsu Cafe
The tea house of an old wagashi maker, at the southern end of the Philosopher's Path. Matcha with the seasonal sweet, ¥1,650. Open only part of the year, see the hours.
More in Northeast Kyoto
Appears in: Ginkaku-ji, the Philosopher's Path and Nanzen-ji: northern Higashiyama on foot