Chionin temple (Kyoto) Morning service and hidden gem

Copied the URL !

Chionin

TEL :075-531-2111
Address :400 Rinkacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto
Access :Kyoto Subway Tozai Line Higashiyama Station > 8 minutes walk

Introduction to Chionin temple

Chionin Temple began in 1175 when the monk Honen built a hermitage there. The first shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu, believed in this temple, and the third shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu, built various halls. It is now a huge temple and is the head temple of the Jodo sect.

Chionin Temple has two buildings that are designated as national treasures of Japan. One is the Sanmon Gate. It is a wooden building that is 24 meters (79 ft) high and 50 meters (164 ft) wide.

The other is the Mieido (main) Hall. Services are held here every morning and you can attend. The start time is 6:30am from December to February, 6am from March to May and September to November, and 5:30am from June to August. It takes about an hour.

The front door is decorated with a cicada.

Chionin (Kyoto) Mieido (main) Hall cicada

There are many other halls designated as Important Cultural Properties.

Hidden gem

The bell is 3.3 metres (10.8 ft) tall, 2.8 (9.2 ft) metres in diameter, and weighs about 70 tons.

On New Year’s Eve, 17 people ring the bell.

At the back of the temple grounds there is a shrine dedicated to Nurekami Daimyojin. A fox that listened to the head priest’s sermon is enshrined here. It is said to bring good luck in finding love.

The vending machine in the temple grounds will chant prayers for you when you buy a drink.

Shukubo (temple stay)

In front of the gate is the shukubo, Washun Kaikan. There are accommodation plans available that include buddhist vegetarian cuisine and various temple experiences. Please visit the link below.