In Japan, Buddhism is the major religious, although most Japanese are not devout religious believers. The most popular denomination of Buddhism in Japan is the "Jodo Shinshu", the True Pure Land denomination of Buddhism. "Jodo Shinshu" was initiated by SHINRAN in the Kamakura Age.

After a long time the "Jodo Shinshu" denomination was divided into three sects. One of the sects is "Nishi-Hongwanji" and Nishi-Hongwanji Temple is the main temple of this sect.

Nishi-Hongwanji Temple is located to the northwest of Kyoto Station within 800m distance. When you arrive at Nishi-Hongwanji Temple, you will see a wall with a roof, both made out of mud along "Horikawa Dori" Avenue. This is Nishi-Hongwanji Temple.

As the roofed mud wall is 350m long and because there is a moat in front of the wall, Nishi-Hongwanji Temple looks like a fortress. "Goeido" Gate and "Amidado" Gate are entrances of Nishi-Hongwanji Temple. These two gates are very huge and important cultural properties of Japan.

If you go inside of Nishi-Hongwanji Temple, you will be surprised with huge buildings. These are "Goeido" Hall on your left and Amidado Hall on your right. These halls look new, but "Goeido" hall was rebuilt in 1636 and "Amidado" Hall was rebuilt in 1760.
These halls are also designated as important cultural properties of Japan.

To the south of "Goeido" Hall, "Shoin", Lecture Hall, is located. The cypress bark roof of "Shoin" is very impressive. "Shoin" gives us the feeling of tradition and status.

"Shoin" was rebuilt in the early 17th century during the Edo Age. Inside of "Shoin", a couple of historical rooms remain. "Shoin" and these rooms are national treasures of Japan. Unfortunately, "Shoin" is not open to the public.

To the south of "Shoin", you will find a very gorgeous gate. This gate is named "Karamon" Gate. The gate is also a national treasure of Japan. The decoration of the gate is very beautiful.

The gate is said to be a remnant of Fushimi Castle, located to the south of Kyoto. "Karamon" Gate was located to this place at earliest sometime after 1615. However, nobody knows when the gate was built or moved to this place.
Fushimi Castle was closed in 1619.

How to get there
Nishi-Hongwanji Temple is located to the northwest of Kyoto Station. Approximately a 10 minute walk from Kyoto Station.

Official English site: http://www.hongwanji.or.jp/english/

Other Historical Sites near by:
Kawaramachi Area
Kyoto Tower
Toji Temple