Myokenji Temple (Kyoto)

A head temple of the Nichiren sect located in Kyoto. It was granted temple lands by Emperor Go-Daigo and founded in 1321 as Kyoto’s first Hokke training hall.

During the Azuchi-Momoyama period, it was relocated to its current site by order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Although it was destroyed in the Great Tenmei Fire during the Edo period, it was later rebuilt. The temple is home to four revered statues, including Nichiren Daibosatsu, and its more than 200-year-old wooden structures are must-sees, including the grand main hall, one of the largest among Kyoto’s temples, and the main gate, which is designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

The temple’s four gardens, each with its own distinct character, are well worth seeing, including the Korin Kyokusui Garden, modeled after a work by Edo-period artist Ogata Korin, and a small courtyard garden where the sound of Moso bamboo leaves rustling in the wind creates a refreshing atmosphere. You’ll also want to enjoy the natural beauty of the temple grounds, which changes with the seasons, from cherry blossoms in spring and fresh greenery in early summer to autumn leaves in fall. Myokenji Temple also offers sutra copying experiences, where visitors can spend peaceful time away from the bustle of everyday life.