Honganji Temples

61 of 75 in attractions in Kyoto

Nishi Honganji (西本願寺) and Higashi Honganji (東本願寺) are two significant temples in Kyoto, representing the Jodo-Shin Sect of Buddhism. Nishi Honganji, founded in 1591 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and houses stunning architecture from the Azuchi-Momoyama and early Edo periods. Higashi Honganji, built shortly after Nishi Honganji, features Kyoto's largest wooden structure, the Goeido Hall. Both temples offer insights into contemporary Japanese Buddhism, with the nearby Shoseien garden offering seasonal beauty.