Honkoku-ji, Buddhist temple in Yamashina-ku, Japan
Honkoku-ji is a Buddhist temple in Yamashina-ku, Kyoto, Japan, belonging to the Nichiren school and uniting several buildings on its grounds. The complex includes a main hall, a founder's hall and a historical storehouse that is classified as a protected cultural asset.
The temple emerged in 1253 in Kamakura through Nichiren and moved its headquarters to Kyoto in 1345 by imperial order of Emperor Kōgon. Later the complex officially received the status as head temple of the religious community and thereby strengthened its position within the Buddhist hierarchy.
The temple preserves the Buddhist tradition of the Nichiren school through daily ceremonies and prayer gatherings that draw believers from the region. Visitors can experience quiet moments in the inner courtyard while monks carry out their religious duties and the atmosphere of concentration and devotion shapes the surroundings.
The temple grounds are accessible from 9 to 16:30, admission to the outer areas is free and the journey is convenient via Misasagi subway station. Visitors should remain quiet and treat the religious spaces respectfully, especially during prayer times and ceremonies.
The red gate at the entrance was donated in 1592 by feudal lord Kato Kiyomasa and is considered a symbol of fortune for people who pass through it with Buddhist prayers. The strong color and the elaborate wood carving make it one of the most distinctive structures in the area.
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