2024年1月 京都駅から西本願寺と関連スポットへ歩いて行く動画です。
京都旅行・京都観光・修学旅行の下調べのご参考になると嬉しいです。
0:00 京都駅を出発 Start from Kyoto Station
1:37 藪内燕庵・伝道院 Enan Tea house and Dendoin
3:31 西本願寺総門に到着 Arriving at Nishi Hongwanji
4:56 境内散策 Walking around the precinct
15:40 太鼓楼・唐門・龍谷大学 More must see archtectures
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Walking virtual tour from Kyoto station to Nishi Hongwanji temple filmed in January 2024.
Nishi Hongwanji is listed in UNESCO world heritage.
Also the head temple and headquarter of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha.
Please visit and admire the national treasure architectures at Nishi Hongwanji.
Walking from Kyoto Station to Nishi Hongwanji Temple Start from the north side of Kyoto Station, in front of Kyoto Central Post Office. Kyoto Tower stands out against the clear sky. The open-top sightseeing bus also looks comfortable. It takes about 15 minutes.
The map is on my note web site, please find the link in the summary section. Turn left on Shiokoji-dori and go west. Turn right at the scramble intersection with Nishinotoin-dori and head north. 〇〇 Dori in Kyoto do not add “ri” in the okurigana. This is a Kyoto custum.
This is a Kyoto custum. Cross Shichijo Dori and head further north Now we can see Yabuuchi En-an on the left. Yabunouchi style of tea ceremony with more than 400 years of history. The tea room Enan is located here. Not for publick.
It is said that the Yabunouchi style developed under the patronage of Nishi Hongwanji Temple. Turn left on Sho-men-dori and go west. Dendoin comes into view. Hongwanji Dendoin – Important Cultural Property built in 1895 A fusion of Japanese and Western architecture designed by Chuta Ito.
Chuta Ito is also known for designing Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple in Tokyo. Ito traveled the world before designing the Dendoin. The dome roofs and horizontal lines often seen in Islamic architecture reflects what he saw at the world travel. What we can see in the front is Nishi Hongwanji Temple.
Somon – Important Cultural Property Relocated to current location when Horikawa Dori was widened. It seems a little bit odd the order of Main gate, Horikawa Dori, Nishi Hongwanji precinct I was surprised when I saw Somon for the first time, but
I think it can be said to be a typical Kyoto scene where protect a tons of cultural heritage. Cross Horikawa Street to the Nishi Hongwanji Horikawa Street is National Route 1 If you go north by bus, you will find Nijo Castle and Shiramine Shrine.
The tree you can see on the left side of the gate is a ginkgo tree. There are many ginkgo trees planted at Nishi Hongwanji Temple. Nishi Hongwanji is the head temple and headquarter of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha. There are many temple treasures including national treasures and important cultural properties.
It is one of the component which registered to World Cultural Heritage Site. Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. Goeidomon – Important Cultural Property When you look up as you pass through the gate, you’ll see a carved wooden dragon. Mekakushibei – Important Cultural Property Built in Edo period.
Banner was hung on new year’s day. Nishi Honganji Temple is free admission. As I was watching the holy service from outside, someone from the temple called out to me, “Please come inside.” It’s a episode of how Nishi Hongwanji welcomes everyone. Chozusha – Important Cultural Property
After receiving a donation of temple land from Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Nishi Hongwanji Temple was moved to current location from Osaka. 5-7 paulownia crest of Toyotomi family. Goeido – National Treasure Nishi Honganji is a very rare temple that allows photography. The interior is decorated with gold Represent the world of enlightenment.
The door was closed at this time A wooden statue of Shinran was enshrined in the center. snowed pine tree bamboo and plum tree. A series of pine, bamboo and plum is a symbol of auspiciousness.
Goeido and Amidado are similar in appearance, but Goeido has a rainwater receptacle decorated with imaginary creature. He is my favorite Hiunkaku – National Treasure We can enter Tekisuien and see the exterior of Hiunkaku only during special opening weeks. We can usually see Hiunkaku from the veranda of Goeido.
It is a three-story building with 36 famous poemers painted on the second floor. The pillars of the Nishi Hongwanji temple are square. This is one of the differences from Higashi Honganji Temple. They have cylinder shape pillars. On either side of Shinran’s statue, there are portraits of the previous abbots.
The current Goeido was built in 1636. One of the largest Edo period buildings which still existing. 1,200 people can gather at one time. There is daily events called “Let’s get to know Onishi-san!” Guiding tours by monks are held 4 times in a day. Only in Japanese.
No reservation required, free admission, anyone can participate. It’s a good opportunity to learn about the temple, and it’s quite interesting! Corridor connecting Goeido and Amidado There is a corridor for worshipers and a corridor for monks. The corridor for monks is called the bell corridor.
The bell tells time of holy serveces. Monks wear radio-controlled watch and accurately tell people when to start holy services. Attention: Loud bell sounds At monk tour Evening service start from 5 pm everyday.
It is said that from the time of the Battle of Ishiyama with Nobunaga Oda, Nishi Hongwanji started short time service in the evening. Nishi Hongwanji can’t serivece leisurely in a situation where Oda Nobunaga might attack. However, they cannot miss daily service.
So they ended up evening serives for a short time of about 5 minutes This custom is still followed today. I learned at the monk tour. The Amidado across the corridor is a smaller building than the Goeido but it is still quite large. Amidado – National Treasure
The current Amidado was rebuilt in 1760. There is a difference of about 120 years from Goeido which was rebuilt in 1636. I imagine that rebuilding the two large halls must have been extremely difficult. When it was rebuilt, it was made larger than the former hall.
The Amida statue at Nishi Hongwanji is a standing statue. Images of Honen, the high priest, and Prince Shotoku are also enshrined here. Large peacock painting Rest area and information desk. For a while, there was a pop-up store for BEAMS which is a famous clothing store.
If you have time and no allergy to only Japanese guiding, I recommend you to participate in “Let’s get to know Onishi-san!” There are about 30 monks in charge of guiding us each with their own style, so it’s interesting to hear different guidance each time.
The best time to see is November. Large ginkgo – Natural monument On Nobemver 30th It’s also fun to look for repair marks. Belfry – Important Cultural Property There’s a fence so we can’t see it up close. The ginkgo trees near the belfry are also beautiful.
It is surprising that the crown of the bell, which weighs 1.8 tons, is made of wood. Kyodo – Important Cultural Property There is an huge octagonal rotating shelf inside. Usually closed to the public, but there are occasional special openings.
I went to the special opening day, which was held only one day in 2023. Since it is normally closed to the public, the interior has been preserved in very good condition In the back of the Kyodo is the former Shinsengumi base. Taikoro – Important Cultural Property
We cannot approach the Taikoro from inside the temple, but we can see it from the Horikawa-dori side. Inside the Taikoro, there is still a large drum that was once used to tell the time. There are also things to see going south of Horikawa-dori. Amidado Gate – Important Cultural Property
Nishi Hongwanji announced official brand mark and tagline in winter 2023. Unusual as a Japanese temple, Nishi Hongwanji is engaged in branding and marketing like a commercial company. The brand mark and tagline were lit up at night.
Going south on Horikawa-dori, the wall on the right is also an important cultural property. Going west from the Kitakoji gate Kitakoji Gate is only open during the day time. After the gate closes at 5:00 pm, we can not be able to pass through.
On the left is the wall of Koshoji Temple, also a member of the Jodo Shinshu. On the right is the wall of Nishi Hongwanji. Walls with a five-line design that can only be seen at prestigious temples. There are national treasures and important cultural properties that cannot be seen from inside the temple.
Karamon – National Treasure It is also called the “Higurashi Gate” because the carvings are so beautiful that you forget when the sun sets. It was just renovated in 2021 and is colorful. The west side of Karamon is the Daigenkan gate. If you search for a route on Google Maps,
The route will show that you can enter Nishi Hongwanji from the Oogenkan gate, but the Oogenkan gate is not the entrance to Nishi Hongwanji. We can enter from Goeido Gate and Amidado Gate.
On the north side of the Oogenkan gate, there is a national treasure Noh stage and master’s hall that are usually closed to the public. The Edo period-like scenery is used for movie shootings. There are also important cultural properties on the south side. Ryukoku University – Important Cultural Property
Ryukoku University was originally founded as a school for Buddhist priests of the Nishi Hongwanji. Among the many campuses, Omiya campus is an important cultural property. The Western-style architecture built in the Meiji era is eye-catching.