A Travel Guide to Higashi Honganji, Where Beautiful Design Meets Deep History

Originally, Higashi Honganji stood in a different location and was simply called “Honganji.”
Here is a brief look at how it developed over time.

As mentioned above, the reason Higashi Honganji and Nishi Honganji split was a conflict between brothers over religious lineage and succession.
By the late Edo period, tensions between the two had eased, and today they maintain exchanges and cooperation.
That said, they still remain distinct and have not fully reconciled, appearing instead to share a relationship in which they encourage each other to improve.
The main differences between them are summarized in the table below.
Since they are located close to each other, it may be interesting to visit both temples and compare them for yourself.

Located at the center of the grounds, Goeido Hall is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property and one of the largest wooden buildings in the world.
Its grand exterior, measuring 38m high, 76m across the front, and 58m deep, combines a dignified presence with graceful design and showcases the essence of traditional Japanese architecture.
Inside, 927 tatami mats cover the floor, while golden decorations on the ceiling and pillars create a magnificent world symbolizing Buddhist teachings.
It also enshrines a portrait of Shinran, making it the greatest highlight of Higashi Honganji.
Since its original construction in 1604, it has been destroyed by fire many times, but each time it was rebuilt through the devotion and support of followers, preserving its monumental appearance.
The current Goeido Hall was completed in 1895 after large-scale restoration work.

The Goeido Gate, which serves as the main gate of Higashi Honganji, is a two-story gate with doors on both sides and houses statues of Shakyamuni Buddha, Miroku Bosatsu, and Anan Sonja. ※Usually not open to the public
Its overwhelming presence and solid appearance are distinctive, and it is said to be one of the largest wooden temple gates in the world, measuring 27m high, 21m across the front, and 13m deep.
The entire gate is also adorned with highly intricate carvings and decorations, and seeing each feature up close, including the graceful roof curves and the dragon carvings at the top of the gate, is sure to impress.
Passing through the gate leads into the vast temple grounds and into the weighty world of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism.
Like Goeido Hall, it was lost to fire several times, but it has preserved its history and culture and is also designated a nationally Important Cultural Property.

Amida-do Hall is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property that enshrines Amida Nyorai, the principal deity of Higashi Honganji.
The interior expresses the world of the “Butsusetsu Amida-kyo (Pure Land)” and is decorated in gold from the ceiling to the pillars.
The space of prayer based on the teachings of Amida Nyorai carries a solemn and tranquil atmosphere, radiating an almost otherworldly sacred light.
Visitors spend time deepening their faith while surrounded by its dignified air.
Another appealing feature is the design, which brings in natural light to brighten the interior and enhances the warmth unique to wooden architecture.
After praying, when you open your eyes, Amida Nyorai may somehow appear even more radiant.
Like Goeido Hall, it was rebuilt in 1895 and continues to convey the depth and beauty of Japanese religious culture to people in Japan and abroad.

Known as a detached precinct of Higashi Honganji, Shoseien Garden is a stroll garden with a central pond and is designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty.
In 1641, the land was donated by Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun of the Edo shogunate, and the garden was completed in 1653.
Within its vast grounds of about 10,000 tsubo are traditional Japanese buildings such as Rofutei and Tekisuiken, along with Ingetsu-chi Pond, which covers about one-sixth of the site.
Its greatest appeal lies in the harmonious scenery created by a wide variety of trees and elegant buildings, especially the 13 scenic views known as the “Shoseien Thirteen Views.”
The seasonal beauty here is stunning, especially the cherry blossoms in spring and the autumn leaves in fall.
It is also full of highlights, with a grand scale like that of a daimyo garden yet a free and open design that does not strongly emphasize religious symbolism.

Amida-do Gate, one of the Important Cultural Properties, is a four-legged gate with a kirizuma-style roof and karahafu gable leading to Amida-do Hall.
Although smaller than Goeido Gate, it features a more ornate design, including elegantly curved bargeboards and decorations with auspicious bronze motifs.
The roof uses traditional Japanese cypress bark roofing, giving the structure both dignity and noble beauty.
These design elements reflect the Jodo Shinshu principle of “teachings open to everyone,” symbolized by the absence of a threshold at the gate.
During the Edo period, it was called the “Karamon,” but it was destroyed in a fire in the late Edo period, and the current gate was completed in 1911.
It also has the unique background of having been rebuilt slightly off-center from the middle of Amida-do Hall to align with the Karasuma-dori street of the time.

The head temple of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha branch, affectionately known as “O-Nishi-san.”
Registered as a World Cultural Heritage Site, its vast grounds of about 30,000 tsubo are home to Goeido Hall, Amida-do Hall, Hiunkaku (not open to the public), counted among the “Three Great Pavilions of Kyoto” alongside Kinkaku and Ginkaku, Kita Noh Stage (not open to the public), the oldest surviving Noh stage, and many other National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties.

This temple was built together with Saiji two years after the capital was moved to Heian-kyo in 794.
Saiji fell into ruin at the end of the Heian period, but Toji’s buildings were repeatedly rebuilt after being destroyed by fire many times.
Structures that remain today include the Kondo Hall rebuilt by Toyotomi Hideyori and the five-story pagoda rebuilt by Tokugawa Iemitsu, both designated National Treasures.

It rises right in front of you as soon as you exit the ticket gates at Kyoto Station. Built with the image of a lighthouse illuminating the city of Kyoto, it stands 131m tall and is the tallest building in central Kyoto.
Since opening in 1964, it has welcomed over 32 million visitors.
From the observation deck 100m above the ground, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Kyoto. On clear days, you can even see as far as Osaka through the free telescopes installed there.

A restaurant produced by Wakuden, one of Kyoto’s leading kaiseki establishments. The name “Hashitate” comes from Amanohashidate, the famous sightseeing spot in Tango where Wakuden was founded.
Centered on rice bowls and noodle dishes, it is popular with a wide range of diners for offering casual access to traditional restaurant flavors made with seasonal ingredients and carefully prepared dashi.
The most popular item is the “Hashitate Set,” which includes a sea bream rice bowl with sesame miso and Wakuden’s signature lotus root sweet, Seiko.

Located in the area known as “Takabashi,” about a 5-minute walk from JR Kyoto Station, Honke Daiichi Asahi is a long-established ramen shop founded in 1947 and one of Kyoto’s best-known names in a city full of ramen restaurants. Its popularity is clear from the long lines that form outside even before its 6:00am opening time.
Its signature ramen, loved for many years, is a pork-bone-based soy sauce ramen made with raw soy sauce from the local Fushimi area.

A long-established restaurant that has been loved for 400 years since its founding in 1624.
Its name comes from an episode in which Toyotomi Hideyoshi is said to have taken off his straw sandals and rested at this shop.
Its signature dish, “Unabe to Uzofusui,” is a popular course that lets you enjoy both “unabe,” a soup-like hot pot made with domestic eel, and “uzofusui,” a fresh pot with rice, vegetables, and grilled eel, all at once.

A stay-style museum where you can spend the night inside spaces designed as artworks by artists.
Following Koenji, the Kyoto location opened in 2019 near the scenic Kamo River.
In Kyoto, emerging contemporary artists collaborate with art directors and architects active mainly in the Kansai area.

A location worthy of serving as a base for sightseeing in Kyoto, just a 2-minute walk from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station.
Its concept is “enjoying a new lifestyle that feels good for the mind and body and is also kind to the environment,” and thoughtful ideas can be found throughout the property.
The lobby features a large green wall recreating Kyoto’s plant life, creating a relaxing atmosphere from the moment you step inside.

A soothing inn built around the concept of a “sky onsen,” offering sweeping views of the Kamo River and Higashiyama from above.
All 32 guest rooms come with their own open-air bath fed by the property’s private hot spring source.
In a Japanese-modern setting, you can unwind and enjoy a sense of calm and exclusivity hard to imagine in the middle of the city.
At “Yasaka no Yu” and “Niwa no Yu” on the 9th floor, you can soak in different types of baths, including standing baths and silky jacuzzis, and enjoy the “heat spring,” known for its heat-retaining and skin-beautifying effects.