Shunkō-in, Zen Buddhist temple in Ukyō-ku, Kyoto, Japan

Shunkō-in is a Zen temple within the Myōshin-ji complex that combines traditional Japanese architecture with sliding doors, tatami-matted rooms, and gardens built on Zen design principles. The space includes several structures and rooms that together create the characteristic appearance of a historic Zen temple.

Horio Yoshiharu founded the temple in 1590 as Shun'gan-in, named after the posthumous name of his son Kanosuke, killed at Odawara. When the Horio line died out in 1633, Ishikawa Noriyuki became patron and renamed it Shunkō-in in 1636. The 1577 Portuguese bell, cast with IHS and a cross, came from the Nanban-ji church and was transferred here from Ninna-ji in 1854.

The sliding-door panels in the abbot's quarters were painted in gold leaf by Kanō Eigaku of the Kyoto Kanō school, with themes such as "Koto, Go, Calligraphy and Painting", "Moon and Geese", "Flowers and Birds" and "Taigong Wang". Some panels carry Confucian teachings, valued by Edo-period samurai for honour, loyalty and honesty. Look for hidden Christian symbols worked into the bird-and-flower paintings.

Zazen sessions are held in Japanese and English and require a reservation made in advance. The temple also offers overnight stays for foreign visitors, Buddhist-style wedding ceremonies including same-sex weddings, and Japanese culture courses. The grounds lie north of the Myōshin-ji ō-kuri, inside the large Myōshin-ji complex in Hanazono, Ukyō-ku.

In June 2011 the deputy head abbot announced that Shunkō-in would perform same-sex marriage ceremonies, timed to Gay and Lesbian Pride Month, although Japan had no legal recognition of same-sex marriage. The temple also offers Buddhist-style weddings, including for same-sex couples, and lodging reserved for foreign visitors.