Chion-in, Buddhist temple in Higashiyama district, Kyoto, Japan
Chion-in is a Buddhist temple in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, set on gently rising ground and composed of multiple halls, gardens, and residential areas for monks. The compound covers a wide area with paved pathways winding between buildings of dark timber, while stone gardens and ponds create quiet intervals.
The temple began in 1175 as a site where the monk Honen spread the teachings of Pure Land Buddhism. Over the following centuries the compound received repeated support from ruling families, enabling the construction of large gates and halls.
The name Chion-in means "Monastery of Gratitude," honoring the debt to Hōnen, who founded the Jōdo-shū in 1175. Kyoto residents still call it "Chiyoinsan" or "Chioinsan." The temple's 7 Wonders include the Wasuregasa, an umbrella tucked into the Mieidō rafters, said to have been left by carpenter Hidari Jingorō or delivered by a white fox as protection from fire.
The compound sits about ten minutes on foot from the nearest subway station and remains open to visitors for most of the day. Some areas require an additional ticket purchase, so it helps to check which sections are freely accessible before passing through the gate.
The nightingale floor is a 550-metre corridor linking the Mieido and Shuedo halls, not a staircase. Its boards were fitted with metal ends that rub against metal joints, producing a chirp underfoot; the lighter the step, the louder the sound. The Tokugawa family used it to detect intruders at night.
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