Around Kyoto Station: Two Hongan-ji Temples and Kyoto Tower

This walking course visits two Hongan-ji temples standing north of Kyoto Station and Shosei-en Garden, a detached precinct of Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, concluding at the observation deck of Nidec Kyoto Tower and Kyoto Station Building. It is an itinerary to enjoy grand temples and the architecture of Kyoto's gateway, all within walking distance from the station.

History and Local Charm

Hongan-ji began as the mausoleum of Shinran. During the Sengoku period, it moved to Yamashina and then to Ishiyama in Osaka. In Tensho 19 (1591), following Toyotomi Hideyoshi's urban planning for Kyoto, it relocated to its current site at Rokujo Horikawa. This is Nishi Hongwanji Temple. After the passing of Abbot Kennyo, his eldest son, Kyonyo, stepped down by Hideyoshi's order, and his younger brother, Junnyo, succeeded him. In Keicho 7 (1602), Kyonyo received a donation of land between Karasuma Rokujo and Shichijo from Tokugawa Ieyasu and founded a new Hongan-ji. This is the present Higashi Hongan-ji Temple. Shosei-en Garden, located to the east, was established as a retirement residence when Sennyo, the 13th head of Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, received a grant of land from the third shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu and retired in Joo 2 (1653). South of these two head temples, in front of Kyoto Station, the tower's observation deck opened in Showa 39 (1964), and Kyoto Station Building, the fourth-generation station building, opened in Heisei 9 (1997).

Major Highlights

• ​Nishi Hongwanji Temple​​: The head temple of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha branch, affectionately known as "O-Nishi-san." Its Goei-do Hall, Amida-do Hall, and the Karamon gate adorned with lavish Momoyama-period decorative carvings are designated National Treasures. In Heisei 6 (1994), it was registered as a World Heritage site as one of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto." Highlights also include "umeki" (wood inlays) carved in the shapes of fish or eggplants along the verandas and corridors of both halls, as well as a large ginkgo tree approximately 400 years old known as the "Inverted Ginkgo."
• ​Higashi Hongan-ji Temple​​: The head temple of the Shinshu Otani-ha branch, officially named "Shinshu Honbyo." All buildings on the grounds burned down in the fire of the Kinmon Incident in Genji 1 (1864), and both main halls were rebuilt in Meiji 28 (1895) through the devoted contributions of numerous followers. Goei-do Hall measures 76 meters across the front, 58 meters on the sides, and 38 meters in height, with a floor space totaling 927 tatami mats. In the corridor connecting the two halls, a "Kezuna Rope" braided from hemp and human hair is displayed.
• ​Shosei-en Garden​​: A pond-strolling garden in the detached grounds of Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty. It is also fondly called "Kikoku-tei" because trifoliate orange trees (kikoku) were planted around it as a hedge. Visitors can stroll through a varied landscape known as the "Thirteen Views," which includes Ingetsuchi Pond reflecting the moonlight rising from Higashiyama, the wooden arched Shinsetsukyo Bridge, and the two-story Bokakaku Pavilion.
• ​Nidec Kyoto Tower​​: A 131-meter-tall tower designed with the motif of a lighthouse. From the observation deck 100 meters above ground, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the city surrounded by the three mountain ranges of Kyoto, and even see the main halls of To-ji Temple and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. It is also recommended to use the observation deck to check the locations of the temples, shrines, and mountains you plan to visit.
• ​Kyoto Station Building​​: The fourth-generation Kyoto Station building, opened in Heisei 9, designed by architect Hara Hiroshi whose proposal was selected in an international design competition. Visitors can explore inside the structure, which features a grand staircase of 171 steps, a 185-meter-long Skyway on the 10th floor connecting the west and east sides, and the Karasuma Koji Square on the 4th floor offering great views of Nidec Kyoto Tower.

Recommended Route and Duration

The entire course takes about 5 hours. Take a Kyoto City Bus from in front of Kyoto Station and get off at "Nishi Hongwanji-mae" to arrive immediately at Nishi Hongwanji Temple. It is also about 1 kilometer northwest of Kyoto Station Building, so you can walk there. Hiunkaku Pavilion, located in the southeast corner of Nishi Hongwanji Temple's grounds, is normally not open to the public. Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, facing Karasuma-dori Street, is about 670 meters east of Nishi Hongwanji Temple. Continuing east from Higashi Hongan-ji Temple for just over 400 meters leads to Shosei-en Garden, where regular visits are limited to the garden only. Walking about 540 meters southwest from Shosei-en Garden brings you to Nidec Kyoto Tower. Kyoto Station Building is about 300 meters south of the tower.

If you plan your route to arrive at Kyoto Station Building in the evening, you can enjoy seasonal illuminations using about 15,000 LEDs across the Grand Staircase at night, along with the Skyway illumination named "STAR BRIDGE."

Experience Summary

Lavish Momoyama-period carvings, grand halls reconstructed through the devotion of Meiji followers, an Edo-period garden, along with a Showa tower and a Heisei station building. The faces of Kyoto from various eras are gathered together within walking distance of Kyoto Station.