Higashi Hongan-ji Temple

About this sight

This structure forms one of two large temples located in the center of Kyoto. The location makes up the primary headquarters of Japan’s most prominent Buddhist sect, the Jodo-Shin – or True Pure Land – Sect. The temple was split from its sister shrine, Nishi Honganji, in the 1600’s to diminish the power of the dominating Shin Sect. Visitors encounter Japanese Buddhism, as the complex now serves as the head temple of the Shin’s Otanti faction. It consists of two active halls - Goeido and Amidado - dedicated to the sect’s founder Shinran and the Amida Buddha, respectively.