Chion-in (知恩院)

Photo of Chion-in

Basic Information

Address:京都府京都市東山区林下町400 Phone:075-541-5141Hours:9:00-16:00Fee:境内は自由、方丈庭園400円友禅苑300円共通500円(中学生以下は半額)Access:市バス12,31,46,201,203,206 番 知恩院前Website:

Description

Said to have begun in 1175 when the monk Honen established a small hermitage here. It's a massive temple complex with 106 buildings of various sizes scattered across the grounds.
The precinct is divided into three tiers — upper, middle, and lower. The Sanmon Gate (Important Cultural Property) standing at the entrance is the largest temple gate in Japan. The centerpiece of the grounds is the Miei-do (Founder's Hall, also an Important Cultural Property), which enshrines a statue of Honen.
The temple's New Year's Eve bell-ringing is also famous.

Map

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