Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple, Goeido

The information about Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple is presented here. Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple has Goeido, which is said to be one of the largest wooden buildings in the world. Goeido has a roof called a mokoshi, which at first glance appears to be a two-story structure, and is about 76 meters from north to south, 58 meters from east to west, and about 38 meters high. The 28-meter-high Goeido-mon gate built in front of Goeido is considered as one of the three main gates of Kyoto, along with the gate of Tofuku-ji Temple and the gate of Chion-in Temple. In addition to Goeido, there is also Amidado, which is about 52 meters from north to south, about 47 meters from east to west, and about 29 meters high.

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

【Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple Location Map ＆ Directions】

Address: 754 Tokoha-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Access (How to get there): Karasuma Nanajo bus stop (short walk), JR Kyoto Station (about 7 minutes on foot), Subway Gojyo Station (about 7 minutes on foot)

【Opening Hours ＆ Closed (confirmation required)】

Opening Hours: 5:50-17:30 (March-October), 6:20-16:30 (November-February)
Closed: open year round

【Entrance Fees ＆ Tickets (confirmation required)】

Individual: Free

【Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple History】

Shinran, the founder of the Jodo Shinshu sect and Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple (東本願寺), died in 1263 at the age of 90, and his remains were enshrined in a stone pagoda built at Otani (Moto-Otani), north of Toribeno in Higashiyama, Kyoto. In 1272, Kakushin-ni, Shinran’s youngest daughter, donated the land to the north of Yoshimizu, west of Otani, built a hexagonal mausoleum (Otani Byodo) and housed the statue of Shinran, and reburied his remains, which had been kept in a stone pagoda in Otani (Moto-Otani). In 1321, under protest from Enryaku-ji Temple, the name of the temple was changed from Senshu-ji Temple to Hongan-ji Temple. In 1336, Hongan-ji Temple was destroyed by the military fire of Ashikaga Takauji, the 1st shogun of the Muromachi shogunate. In 1465, Hongan-ji Temple was destroyed by the members of Enryaku-ji Temple due to the Kansho-no-Honan. In 1478, Yamashina Hongan-ji Temple was built in Kyoto Yamashina. In 1496, Ishiyama Hongan-ji Temple was built in Osaka Ishiyama. In 1532, Yamashina Hongan-ji Temple was burned down by Rokkaku Sadayori and others, and from the following year 1533, the temple foundation was moved to Ishiyama Hongan-ji Temple. In 1570, Oda Nobunaga ordered Ishiyama Hongan-ji Temple to leave the temple, and the Ishiyama Kassen (Ishiyama War) broke out.
In 1580, Ishiyama Hongan-ji Temple concluded a peace treaty with Oda Nobunaga, but Ishiyama Hongan-ji Temple was later destroyed by fire. During the Ishiyama Kassen (Ishiyama War), the 11th head of Honganji, Kennyo, and his eldest son, Kyoyo, were at odds with each other, and Kyoyo holed himself up in Ishiyama Honganji and was insulated by his father, but was later forgiven in 1582. In 1582, Toyotomi Hideyoshi donated the land of Osaka Tenma and Hongan-ji Temple was moved there. In 1591, Toyotomi Hideyoshi donated more land in Horikawa Rokujo, Kyoto, and Hongan-ji Temple was moved there. When Kennyo, the 11th head of Hongan-ji Temple died in 1592, Kyonyo, his eldest son, inherited it, but was retired by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and his younger brother, Junnyo, inherited the 12th head of Hongan-ji Temple. Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple was founded to the east of Nishi-Hongan-ji Temple in 1602 after Kyonyo received a donation of temple land from Tokugawa Ieyasu, the 1st shogun of the Edo shogunate, and Hongan-ji Temple was divided into Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple (east) and Nishi-Hongan-ji Temple (west) . In 1603, Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple welcomed the statue of Shinran, which is said to have been made by Kyonyo, from Myoan-ji Temple in Ueno Kuniyabashi (Umayabashi City, Gunma Prefecture), and in the same year, Amidado was built, and in 1604, Goeido was built. In 1788, Goeido and Amidado were burned down by the Tenmei-no-Taika (Great Tenmei Fire), and in 1798, the Edo Shogunate donated wood and Goeido and Amidado were rebuilt. In 1823, Goeido and Amidado were burned down by a fire that broke out in the temple grounds, and in 1835, Goeido and Amidado were rebuilt. In 1858, Goeido and Amidado were burned down by the Ansei-no-Taika (Great Ansei Fire), and in 1860, the temporary Goeido and Amidado were rebuilt. In 1864, Goeido and Amidado were burned down by the (Kimon-no-Hen (Hamagurigomon-no-Tatakai). Reconstruction of Goeido and Amidado began in 1880 and was completed in 1895. Restoration of Goeido began in 2003 and was completed in 2010. Restoration of Amidado began in 2012 and it was completed in 2015.
*reference・・・Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple website

【Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple Highlights (May be undisclosed)】

★Goeido (Mieido, 御影堂, Important Cultural Property) was destroyed by fire in 1864, and was rebuilt in 1895. Goeidol houses the seated statue of Shinran, the founder of the Jodo Shinshu sect, on the shumidan in the nai-jin (inner sanctuary).
★Amidado (阿弥陀堂, Important Cultural Property) was destroyed by fire in 1864, and was rebuilt in 1895. Amidado houses the statue of Amida Nyorai on the shumidan in the nai-jin (inner sanctuary).
★Dai-Shinden (大寝殿) was built in 1868. Dai-Genkan (大玄関) was built in 1867. Dai-Genkan is the oldest building of the temple. Dai-Shinden and Dai-Genkan were used as lodgings for Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the 15th shogun of the Edo shogunate, at the end of the Edo period (1603-1868). In Dai-Shinden, there is a barrier painting painted by Takeuchi Suho.
★Shoseien (渉成園, Kikokutei, 枳殻邸) is the enclave precinct of Higashi Honganji Temple. Shoseien is located to the east of Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple and is roughly square in shape, measuring 200 meters square. Shoseien is a walking garden with a pond, and is known as “Jusansho” or “Jukei” for its seasonal flowers and varied landscapes. Visitors can enjoy plum and cherry blossoms in the spring, irises and water lilies in the summer, and autumn leaves in the fall.
東本願寺見どころ (Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple Highlights)

【Events (confirmation required)】

★Osusuharai (お煤払い) is held every year on December 20th. Osusuharai is held by believers from all over Japan and the staff members of Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple. In Osusuharai, believers and others line up side by side, beat the tatami mats of Goeido with waridake (split bamboo), and remove the dust with a 2-meter large uchiwa (fan). Then the tatami mats are wiped with a zokin (rag).

【Flower Calendar (cherry blossoms, etc )】

★The best time to see lotus (蓮) is from early July to late July. Yodohime and other lotus species are planted in the moat on the south side of the grounds, and bloom in pink or white. Yodohime is an endemic species that grew naturally in Yodo Castle, which was built in the early Edo period (1603-1868). Water lilies are also planted in the moat on the northeast side of the grounds.
★The best time to see autumn leaves (紅葉) is from early November to late November. Ginkgo trees, which have been chosen as as the pride of Shimogyo-ku residents, have been planted on Karasuma-dori, and the scenery of the autumn leaves (yellow leaves), Amidado-mon Gate, Goeido-mon Gate, and Karasuma-dori is beautiful.
(The best time to see the plants depends on the climate of the year.)

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

Tel: +81-75-691-3325

【Recommended Walking Route】

The recommended walking route from Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple is to Nishi-Hongan-ji Temple, which is located on the west side of the temple. Nishi-Hongan-ji Temple is registered as a World Heritage Site and, like Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple, has a large Mieido (Goeido) and Amidado. It is also recommended to cross Kyoto Station and head southwest to To-ji Temple. To-ji Temple is also registered as a World Heritage Site, and its Goju-no-to (five-story pagoda) has become a symbol of Kyoto.

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