An Unexpected Encounter with Higashi Hongan-ji. A Beautiful Temple In The Heart of Kyoto

September 25, 2025. Kyoto, Japan.

Today was supposed to be a day of recovery from sightseeing. However, an innocent bus ride toward Kyoto Station in search of souvenirs turned into an unexpected temple visit. One bus stop short of our destination, we noticed a massive temple structure, which prompted us to ring the bell and get off the bus to explore.

Before us stood Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, one of the two main head temples of the Jodo Shinshu school of Buddhism, which is one of Japan’s most popular sects.

Higashi Hongan-ji was established in 1602 by Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. He deliberately split the original Hongan-ji temple into two—this one (Higashi, or East) and Nishi Hongan-ji (West)—in a political maneuver to diminish the sect’s growing power. Due to repeated destruction by fire throughout its history, the current halls date from a reconstruction completed in 1895.

The complex is famous for its colossal scale. Its Goeidō (Founder’s Hall) is an awe-inspiring sight, standing as one of the world’s largest wooden buildings and the largest in Kyoto. It is dedicated to Shinran Shonin, the founder of the Jodo Shinshu sect. Next to it is the nearly equally grand Amidado Hall, which enshrines the Amida Buddha.

The buildings are interconnected through open corridors, and this path led us seamlessly into a modern subterranean building. This modern structure houses a small museum (Gallery) where you can find documents and historical accounts of the Jodo Shinshu Sect (the correct Romanization for the sect’s name). This gallery and an accompanying Audiovisual Hall were built in 1998 with a contemporary design by architect Shin Takamatsu, providing a striking contrast to the massive traditional wooden halls above ground. This contrast effectively bridges centuries of history and modern faith.

We had a wonderful visit and certainly recommend it due to its ease of access (it’s just a short walk from Kyoto Station), incredible architecture, and profound historical value. It’s a peaceful oasis right in the center of the bustling city.