Table of Contents
What is Honman-ji Temple?
Honman-ji Temple is a venerable temple of the Nichiren sect of Buddhism, with Mt. Kōbu as its mountain name and the Mandala of the Ten Realms as its principal image. After the Tenbun Hokei Rebellion, the temple was moved to its current location, and later became a place of prayer for the shogun family, receiving the respect of Tokugawa Yoshimune.
Basic Information
| Name | Honmanji Temple |
| Benefit | Good luck, protection from bad luck, good fortune |
| Hours of operation | 10:00-16:00 |
| Admission fee | Free of charge |
| Parking lot | Private coin-operated parking is available at the entrance and at the rear of the building. |
| Location: 16, Tsuruyama-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-0802 | 16, Tsuruyama-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-0802, Japan |
| TEL: 075-231-4784 | 075-231-4784 |
| Official website | https://temple.nichiren.or.jp/5011024-honmanji/ |
Features and Highlights
- Famous as “Demachi no Myoken-san”, one of the Twelve Myoken in Kyoto’s Rakuyo area
- Famous for weeping cherry trees over 90 years old
- History of praying for Yoshimune Tokugawa’s recovery from illness
Weeping cherry trees and beautiful garden: In the garden of Honman-ji Temple, there are beautiful weeping cherry trees over 90 years old that bloom beautifully in spring. Visitors can also enjoy seasonal flowers such as autumn leaves and peonies.
Konjikan-kinji Ikji-hotou Lotus Sutra : Honman-ji Temple is home to the Konjikan-kinji Ikji-hotou Lotus Sutra, which is designated as a National Important Cultural Property of Japan. It consists of nine scrolls of the Lotus Sutra, each scroll written in gold characters, and is a must-see for its beauty.
Ancestor Statue : Honman-ji Temple is home to an ancestor statue found at the foot of the Seriou Village mountain. This statue is believed to have been the source of a legend that a voice recited the Lotus Sutra from the mountains.
How to access
- 8-minute walk from Demachiyanagi Station on Keihan Railway
- 8-minute walk from Demachiyanagi Station on the Eizan Electric Railway Eizanmoto Line
- 10 minutes on foot from ” Imadegawa” station on the Subway Karasuma line
- Approximately 6 minutes on foot from Kawaramachi-Imadegawa Station (Kyoto City Bus)
- Approx. 5 min. walk from ” Aoi-bashi Nishizume ” (Kyoto City Bus)
- Approximately 6 minutes on foot from ” Kawaramachi-Imadegawa ” station (Kyoto Bus)
- Approximately 20 minutes by cab from JR Kyoto Station
Summary
Honman-ji Temple is a must-see temple in Kyoto for its beautiful garden, historical treasures, and association with Yoshimune Tokugawa. It is especially beautiful during the cherry blossom season and the season of autumn leaves, and is a must-visit for history buffs and flower lovers.
