A complete guide to the Chion-in temple in Kyoto
Image Copyright: Ollie Ronin.
Introduction
Chion-in is an 800-year-old (Est. 1234) Buddhist temple located next to Maruyama Park in the Higashiyama district of Kyoto. It's one of the most impressive temples in Kyoto and, unlike most temples in Japan, provides free access to the majority of its buildings and features. It's famous for having the largest Sanmon Gate in Japan which serves as the entrance to the temple grounds. It's also home to the largest temple bell in Japan, which was cast in 1636 and weighs 74 tons. The magnificent stone steps featured in the cover image were also used during a scene of The Last Samurai, the 2003 film starring Tom Cruise.
The temple embraces tourism and conducts numerous prayer ceremonies throughout the day which visitors can observe for free. The monks who manage the temple also have an appreciation for artistic expression and sometimes hold nighttime exhibitions for projection art. Surprisingly, Chion-in is much less crowded than the other popular temples in Kyoto.
Table of Contents
Seasons
Interesting Facts & History
Location & Access
Chion-in is located in the sightseeing district of Higashiyama which is next to Gion and northeast of Kyoto Station (10-minute taxi). It's about a 10-minute walk from Gion and a 20-minute walk from Downtown Kyoto. It's situated right next to the Yasaka Shrine and Maruyama Park, both popular locations for festivals and cherry blossoms. Most people include Chion-in as part of a larger day exploring the other attractions in Higashiyama, you can read about them here.
🕗 Opening Hours
6am - 4:30pm (Last entry 4pm)
🌸 Cherry Blossom Illuminations
Late March to early April: 5:45pm - 9:30pm (Last entry 9pm)
🍁 Autumn Leaves Illuminations
Mid-November to early December: 5:30pm - 9:30pm (Last entry 9pm)
📍 Location
Higashiyama, Kyoto. (Google Maps)
💴 Entry Price
Daytime = Free
Illumination = ¥800 per person
Seasons
The autumn illuminations at Chion-in. Image Copyright: Ollie Ronin.
🌸 Cherry Blossoms
Late March to early April
🍁 Autumn Leaves
Mid-November to early December
☀️ Summer
June - August.
Average temp. 32°C
❄️ Winter
Snowfall. 1-3 times per year.
Interesting Facts & History
The massive Sanmon gate was built in 1619 and is the largest Sanmon gate in Japan.
The temple is 800 years old, with many of the current buildings reaching up to 400 years old.
Features the largest temple bell in Japan, built in 1636. It's only rung twice per year, once in April, and once at midnight on New Year's Eve.
The stone steps were used during a scene of The Last Samurai, the 2003 film starring Tom Cruise.
Nearby Attractions
The Ninenzaka street, about 15 minute's walk from Chion-in Temple. Image Copyright: Ollie Ronin.
Chion-in is part of a collection of shrines and temples in the historically preserved section of Higashiyama. Other notable attractions include the Yasaka Shrine, the 5-story Yasaka Pagoda (Hokan-ji), Kodaiji Temple, and Kiyomizudera Temple. There's a lot to see and do, you can easily spend half a day exploring this area, check out our dedicated for Higashiyama over here: A Complete Guide To Visiting Higashiyama
Further Reading
Is it worthwhile staying near Chion-in Temple?
Chion-in is located in Higashiyama, which contains some of the nicest accommodation in Kyoto, but with so many choices it can be very time-consuming to make the right decision. We analysed thousands of customer reviews and combined them with our expert knowledge of the city to compile a list of the best accommodation in the area, you check it out here: The Best Hotels in Higashiyama
What about sightseeing in Higashiyama?
Higashiyama is one of the most famous areas for sightseeing in Kyoto. You could spend an entire day exploring all the hidden temples, gardens, and beautifully preserved streets. We created an efficient and comprehensive guide to sightseeing in Higashiyama here: A Complete Guide to Higashiyama
Where is the best area to stay in Kyoto?
Choosing the right area for your accommodation in Kyoto can be a bit confusing, to help you make the most informed decision we developed this compressive and easy-to-read guide. Check it out here: Where to stay in Kyoto
