The Chionin Temple in Kyoto is a beautiful temple with great cultural and historical value. The main hall, known as the Mieido, is designated as a national treasure. A major renovation was completed in March 2019, so make sure to visit it in all its renewed glory.
About Chionin Temple
Most interestingly, Chionin Temple has a special feature to catch thieves, spies or even ninja. The floorboards of a corridor called the ‘Uguisubari-no-roka’ (Nightingale Hallway), creak and sound like the chirping of the nightingale when stepped on. Those familiar with the floor would step upon it to produce the sound in a certain way that identifies them as friends or allies. In that way, intruders could be detected.
Other areas of the temple such as the Sanmon (the main gate designated as national treasure), Karamon, Kyozo (scripture house) and the Hōjō garden are also famous. There are two gardens in Chionin Temple, the Hōjō Garden and Yūzen-en Garden. In the temple grounds, you can see lotus flowers blooming in the ponds during early summer!
Chionin Autumn Illumination
In autumn, the foliage of the temple gardens are lit up in the annual Autumn Illumination, an amazing opportunity to take photos or simply enjoy the view of a world covered in orange and red leaves in November. Entrance during the event is 800 yen for those aged 15 and older and 400 yen for children.
In 2019, the illumination runs from November 1st to Dec. 1st from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Other temples nearby also have similar events, so you could visit all of them at the same time.
The History Of Chionin Temple and the Founder of Jodo Sect
The Jodo sect of which Chionin is the head temple was established by a Buddhist priest in the Heian period, Honen. He devoted his life to Buddhism after his father, who was fatally attacked in a raid on his residence, urged him from his deathbed to not seek revenge and perpetuate hatred and instead follow the path of Buddhism to salvation.
Around 1175, Honen started the Jodo Shu, (Jodo School of Thought,) which is a branch of Pure Land Buddhism after learning from a sutra that the recitation of "Namu Amida Butsu" ("I take refuge in Amida"), allows one to enter the Pure Land. At this time, Buddhist practices were too esoteric and often practised in monastic seclusion. Honen’s new sect provided a way for ordinary people a chance to attain salvation.
Chionin temple is where Honen taught Jodo, and is also the location of his mausoleum. Around the Muromachi period, Chionin became the head temple for Jodo Shu. During the Tokugawa period, more buildings were added to the compound.
In the museum, you can see another National Treasure, an artwork called the ‘Descent of Amida and Twenty-Five Attendants’, valuable old sutra texts, an illustrated copy of a biography of Honen and other precious Buddhist texts.
Opening Hours & Entrance Fee
Chionin Temple is open from 9 am to 4.30 pm and admission is free. However there is an entrance fee for both gardens of 500 yen for adults and 250 yen for children.
Information
- Name: Chionin Temple
- Street address: 400 Rinka-cho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 605-8686
- Access: The temple is about a 10-minute walk from Higashiyama Station on the Tozai Line subway.
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