Buddhist temple
Chion-in
知恩院（ちおんいん）
Higashiyama, Kyoto
The head temple (sōhonzan) of the Jōdo school, with a large complex of buildings at the foot of Kachōzan in Higashiyama, Kyoto. The image (miei) of the founder, Hōnen Shōnin, is enshrined in its Miei-dō, a National Treasure, and it is cherished as the central place of practice for the teaching of the nenbutsu.
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
Prayers associated with this place
The image of the founder, Hōnen Shōnin, is enshrined in the Miei-dō
History and things to know
According to the official guide, it began when disciples built a mausoleum at Ōtani in Higashiyama, where Hōnen Shōnin spent his last years and passed away, and in Bunryaku 1 (1234) his disciple Genchi arranged the halls with Hōnen as founding priest. In the Edo period Tokugawa Ieyasu designated it as his family's temple in perpetuity and enlarged its grounds, and the present Miei-dō was built by Iemitsu in Kan'ei 16 (1639).
Introduced by this site, based on materials from the shrine or temple and public bodies.
Before you visit
Opening hours, access, areas open to visitors, and events can change. Please check the latest guidance from the shrine or temple itself before you go.
Official website of the shrine or temple (may be in Japanese)
Sources (in Japanese)
- 知恩院「御祭神・御本尊・由緒の公式案内」（2026-10-22 確認）
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