Chion-in Temple, San-mon Gate

The information about Chion-in Temple is presented here. Chion-in Temple became the permanent family temple of the Tokugawa family (shogun family) because Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo shogunate, was a member of the Jodo sect, and it was maintained by Tokugawa Ieyasu, his son Tokugawa Hidetada, the second shogun of the Edo Shogunate, and his grandson Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun of the Edo Shogunate. It is said that Chion-in Temple had a political significance to show off the power of the Tokugawa family and to control the imperial court by overlooking the Kyoto Imperial Palace.

• Temple Location Map ＆ Directions
• Temple History
• Temple Highlights

【Chion-in Temple Location Map ＆ Directions】

Address: 400 Rinka-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Access (How to get there): Chionin-mae bus stop (about 5 minutes on foot), Keihan Gion-Shijo Station (about 15 minutes on foot), Hankyu Kyoto Kawaramachi Station (about 18 minutes on foot), Subway Higashiyama Station (about 8 minutes on foot)

【Opening Hours ＆ Closed (confirmation required)】

Opening Hours: 9:00-16:30
Closed: open year round

【Entrance Fees ＆ Tickets (confirmation required)】

Individual (Garden): Adults (Over High School Students) 300 yen, Children (Junior High and Elementary School Students) 150 yen

【Chion-in Temple History】

Chion-in Temple (知恩院) is said to have originated in 1175 when Honen, the founder of the Jodo sect, established a hermitage in Yoshimizu near Seishido at the age of 43. The hermitage became the dojo for the practice of Senju-Nenbutsu and was called “Yoshimizu Gobo” or “Otani Zenbou”. However, due to the Jogen-no-Honan, Honen was exiled to Sanuki Province (Kagawa Prefecture) from 1207 to 1211, after which he returned to Otani Zenbou. Incidentally, the Jogen-no-Honan occurred when the 82nd Emperor Go-Toba went to Kumano, and his favorite courtesans Suzumushi and Matsumushi were so impressed by the teachings of Honen’s disciples, Anraku and Jyuren, that they became ordained priests, so Anraku and Jyuren were beheaded, and Honen was exiled to Sanuki Province. In 1212, Honen died at the age of 80, and his disciple, Seikanbo Genchi, built Byodo (mausoleum), and his disciple, Shinku protected it. In 1227, Byodo (mausoleum) was destroyed by Enryaku-ji Temple. It is said that the remains of Honen were secretly transferred to Koumyou-ji Temple in Awo and cremated. In 1234, Seikanbo Genchi rebuilt Chion-in Temple and renamed it “Otani-dera”. The 87th Emperor Shijo gave the temple the name “Kachozan Chion Kyoin Otani-dera” and made it the chokugansho (imperial temple). It is said that Chion-in Temple was destroyed by fire in 1431, but was later rebuilt. In the middle of the Muromachi period (1336-1573), Chion-in Temple was destroyed by fire during the Onin War (1467-1477). During the Onin War, Shuyo Shurin took refuge at Konren-ji Temple in Omi Province (Shiga Prefecture), and Honen’s miei (statue), Buddhist statues, and temple treasures were moved to the hermitage (Shin Chion-in Temple) near Konren-ji Temple. In 1478, Chion-in Temple was rebuilt. In 1517, Chion-in Temple was destroyed by fire, but Honen’s miei (statue) was spared. In 1523, Chion-in Temple and Hyakumanben chion-ji Temple fought over the main temple, but Chion-in Temple won and became the first seat in Chinzeigi (Jodo sect) and became the main temple. In 1530, Seishido was rebuilt, and the 105th Emperor Gonara gave Chion-in Temple the imperial inscription “Chionin Kyoin” and “Otani-dera”. It is said that in 1575, the 106th Emperor Ogimachi recognized Chion-in as the main temple of the Jodo sect and gave the authority to grant or revoke the koi (robe) to Jodo priests. In 1585, Toyotomi Hideyoshi donated 190 koku of the temple land to Chion-in Temple. It is said that he continued to donate to the temple after that. In 1603, Tokugawa Ieyasu, a member of the Jodo sect and the first shogun of the Edo shogunate, designated Chion-in Temple as the permanent family temple and donated 703 koku of temple land. In 1604, Tokugawa Ieyasu ceded part of the territory of Seiren-in Temple and began the construction of Chion-in Temple complex. Tokugawa Ieyasu made Ryojun-shinno, the son of the 107th Emperor Go-Yozei, his son-in-law, and the successor of Manyu Sonsho, and Chion-in Temple became the Monzeki Temple. In 1608, Tokugawa Ieyasu expanded the territory of Chion-in Temple and built the temple complex, and was succeeded by Tokugawa Hidetada, the second shogun of the Edo shogunate, and Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun of the Edo shogunate, and by 1641, much of the temple complex was built. In 1633, Chion-in Temple was destroyed by fire. However, San-mon and Kyozo survived the fire. The temple complex was rebuilt in 1639. In 1710, the 112th Emperor Reigen gave Chion-in Temple the imperial inscription “Kado-zan”. After the Meiji Restoration, Chion-in Temple fell into disrepair due to the separation of Shinto and Buddhism and Haibutsukishaku. In 1872, Chion-in Temple, along with Nishi Hongan-ji Temple and Kennin-ji Temple, became the first Kyoto Exposition, and the 122nd Emperor Meiji visited it.
*reference・・・Chion-in Temple website

【Chion-in Temple Highlights (May be undisclosed)】

★Mieido (Mieido Hall, 御影堂, National Treasure) was rebuilt in 1639 with a donation from Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun of the Edo Shogunate. Mieido houses the statue of Honen, the founder of the Jodo sect. Mieido is about 45 meters wide and about 35 meters deep. In the middle of the roof of Mieido, two unroofed tiles (Fukinokoshi-no-Kawara) are intentionally piled up to show that the roof is not perfect.
★San-mon (San-mon Gate, 三門, National Treasure) was built in 1621 with a donation from Tokugawa Hidetada, the second shogun of the Edo shogunate. San-mon is about 24 meters high. San-mon houses the statue of Shaka Nyorai, Zenzai-doji, Gakka-choja and Juroku-rakan on the upper floor.
★It is said that Hojo Garden (Place of Scenic Beauty) began in 1633. Hojo Garden is said to have been created by the monk Gyokuen, who has a connection with Kobori Enshu. Hojo Garden is a pond spring walking garden with a borrowed view of Higashiyama.
知恩院見どころ(Chion-in Temple Highlights)

【Events (confirmation required)】

★Gyoki-daie (御忌大会) is held every year from April 18th to 25th. Gyoki-daie is the most important memorial service for Honen, and is derived from Hoon-ko held by his disciples on the anniversary of his death. Gyoki-daie includes events such as the Kacho-ryu Kenka-shiki, Midnight Nembutsu in Gyoki and Hojo-e.
★Ominugui-shiki (御身拭式) is held every year on December 25th. During Ominugui-shiki, while the nembutsu is chanted, the monzeki (monk) himself wipes the statue of Honen enshrined in the zushi with new habutae.
★Tameshibiki (試し撞き) is held every year around late December. Tameshibiki is held before the Joya-no-kane (New Year’s bell). The ogane (large bell) is said to be one of the largest in Japan, and is struck using a special method in which one monk pulls the oyaduna and 16 monks pull the koduna.

【Flower Calendar (cherry blossoms, etc )】

★The best time to see cherry blossoms (桜) is from late March to early April. About 200 cherry trees are planted, including Somei-Yoshino, Kan-zakura, Yama-zakura, Shiki-zakura, and Yae-zakura and it is said that the scenery of the cherry blossoms, Yuzen-en Garden, the 24-meter-high San-mon and Amidado is beautiful. Chion-in Temple is illuminated every year around the time of the cherry blossoms, and a special night viewing is held. (night illumination, 桜ライトアップ)
知恩院桜ライトアップ (Chion-in Temple night illumination)
★The best time to see autumn leaves (紅葉) is from mid-November to late November. Maple trees, ginkgo, beech, and other trees are distributed, and it is said that the scenery of the autumn leaves, Yuzen-en Garden and the 24-meter-high San-mon is beautiful. Chion-in Temple is illuminated every year around the time of autumn leaves, and a special night viewing is held. (night illumination, 紅葉ライトアップ)
知恩院紅葉ライトアップ (Chion-in Temple night illumination)
(The best time to see the plants depends on the climate of the year.)

【Telephone (Please refrain from making phone calls.)】

Tel: +81-75-531-2111

【Recommended Walking Route】

The recommended walking route from Chion-in Temple is via Maruyama Park to Yasaka Shrine. Chion-in Temple and Maruyama Park are famous for cherry blossoms, and cherry blossom viewing can be enjoyed during the cherry blossom season. The Shira-kawa River flows near the approach to Chion-in Temple, and a walk along the river is recommended. Along the Shira-kawa River, willow trees have been planted and a narrow bridge called “Ippon-bashi” has been built.

【Remarks（access, parking, disclaimer, etc）】
If you plan to visit Chion-in Temple, be sure to check the latest information.