Nishi Honganji in Kyoto: Highlights and Personal Photos with Insights into the National Treasure Karamon Gate and Majestic Wooden Architecture

2024-08-062024-09-20

Nishi Honganji Temple is registered as a World Cultural Heritage Site, and you can see many valuable cultural properties of the ancient capital of Kyoto, such as Goeido Hall, Amidado Hall, and Karamon Gate. Personally, I found the Karamon Gate to be particularly spectacular.

This article will share the highlights of Nishi Honganji Temple, along with some personal photographs.

Getting to Nishi Honganji Temple from Kyoto Station

Nishi Honganji is 1.2 km from Kyoto Station, which takes about 17 minutes on foot. If you’re taking a city bus, it takes about 6 minutes from Kyoto Station to the Nishi Honganji-mae bus stop. Considering the wait time for the bus, walking might be quicker.

The photo above is one of the entrance of Nishi Honganji Temple, Goeido Gate. It is a profound gate that gives you a sense of history. It was built in 1636 and is designated as an important cultural property.

Highlights of Nishi Honganji Temple

On your way there, if you go down a side street instead of the front side, you’ll find the glittering Karamon Gate, a national treasure.

It is said to be the oldest building in Nishi Honganji, which was relocated in 1618. I couldn’t help but gasp at the splendor of the Karamon Gate.

The interior is decorated with splendid carvings related to Chinese folklore, such as clouds and giraffes, peonies and lions, and bamboo and tigers.

A wall near the Goeido Gate is said to be a construction of the late Edo period (1603-1868). It prevents Goeido Hall from being fully visible from the outside.

The photo above is Goeido Hall, which is 48m east to west, 62m north to south, and 29m high, so its vastness is overwhelming. It is said that it can accommodate 1,200 people, and the outer hall can accommodate 3,000 people and has been designated as a national treasure.

The inside of the building is covered in dazzling decorations, creating a majestic sight. Unfortunately, in Japanese temples, photography is generally not allowed inside as there are Buddhist statues etc.

The photo above is of a gate called Amidado-mon Gate, which was relocated around 1788 and is designated as an important cultural property.

The gate has beautiful golden decorations and carvings.

The photo above is Amidado Hall, which is 42 meters east to west, 45 meters north to south, and 25 meters high. It has been designated as a national treasure, and a wooden statue of Amida Buddha is enshrined here. I was overwhelmed by the sight of Amidado Hall and Goeido Hall, two of the largest wooden buildings in the world, side by side.

As a hidden highlight, playful pieces of wood are embedded in the corridors of Goieido Hall and Amidado Hall. This is a method of repairing holes that have formed due to aging by filling them with another piece of wood. The photo above is in the shape of Mt. Fuji.