Attractions > Kyoto > Shrines Temples > Kyoto West

About | Access | Hotels & Lodging | Hours & Fees

Myoshin Ji in Kyoto Japan by Tomomarusan (GNU Free) on SnapJapan.com

 

About

Myoshin-Ji (in Japanese; Myoshin Ji 大本山妙心寺) is a Japanese Buddhist temple and the "head temple" of the Myoshin-Ji school of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. It is a very large complex in Kyoto, like Daitoku Ji, with many main buildings and over 50 sub-temples. Many buildings are closed to the public (but plenty are open for you to see) and you can still stroll around and view any non-public accessible building from the outside.

Originally the temple was the palace for Emperor Hanazono. After he abdicated in 1318 and became a monk in 1335 he donated his palace to found the temple in 1342 by Zen Master Kanzan Egen.  Like many buildings in Kyoto, the entire complex was destroyed in the Onin War in 1467 but most buildings have been rebuilt. The "Temple Bell", cast in 698, is known to be the oldest "Temple Bell" in Japan and the oldest bell still in use in the world.

You may wander the complex by yourself or there is a guided tour you may join. Guided tours start at the Ohojo building but unfortunately only conducted in Japanese.  They are short however, 30 min., and you are able to see things you may not be able to see by yourself.

 

Access

Closest Train Station: Myoshinjii

Myoshinji-cho64 Hanazono
Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 616-8035 Japan

Tel: 075-461-5226

5 minute walk from the Myoshinjii Station on the Keifuku Kitano Line Or a 5-10 minute walk from the JR Hanazono Station.

Google Map

 

Hotels & Lodging

Recommended

View a full list of Hotels and Lodging in or nearby Myoshin-Ji.

 

Hours & Fees

Hours: The grounds of Shrines and Temples are generally open 27/7, 365 days a year but, many set their own hours. If hours are set, they are generally open from 9:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. in the morning and close around 4:30 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. in the evening.

Cost: The general grounds of Shrines and Temples are free but may charge a small fee (a couple/few hundred yen) for special gardens, exhibitions, artifact viewing, etc.

Information presented is based on the time it was created. There may be changes since publication. Please confirm information by visiting the Official Website before visiting.

 

Resources

Website: Myoshin-Ji Homepage