Higashi Hongan-ji is one of the largest Buddhist temples in Kyoto and one of the closest historical complexes to Kyoto Station.

It lies just a few minutes walk north of the station, making it a very easy stop when arriving in the city or before taking the train.

The temple belongs to the Jōdo Shinshū school and was built in the early 17th century as the "eastern" branch of Nishi Hongan-ji Temple.

Compared to Kyoto's most famous landmarks, such as Kiyomizu-dera or Fushimi Inari Taisha, there tend to be significantly fewer tourists.

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Is Higashi Hongan-ji worth a visit?

✅ Yes, if:

you have some time near Kyoto Station
you want to see a huge temple without big crowds
you're interested in traditional Buddhist architecture

❌ More likely not, if:

you only have a few hours in Kyoto
you want to see the city's iconic landmarks
you are planning a major program in the Higashiyama Historic District

💡 Alternative:
If you are only planning to visit one major temple, most people tend to head to the Higashiyama area, where Kiyomizu-dera, for example, is located.

Higashi Hongan-ji

One of the largest wooden buildings in Japan

The dominant feature of the temple is the huge Goei-do Hall, which is one of the largest wooden buildings in Japan. The building has been destroyed by fire several times and its current appearance dates back to the late 19th century.

The grounds have a very open feel - the large courtyard, monumental gates and minimal tourist groups create a very different atmosphere to the crowded temples in Higashiyama.