Honen-in Temple

A lovely and secluded temple just off the Philosopher’s Path, Honen-in was established in 1680 to honour Honen, the founder of the Jodo Buddhist sect. Set amongst a wooded hillside, the temple has a beautiful raked sand garden, moss gardens and a tranquil pond filed with koi carp. The main entrance to the temple is through a thatched gate, which makes an excellent spot for photos. Particularly stunning in the autumn colours and cherry blossom season, Honen-in tends not to be too crowded and can offer a wonderful respite from the crowds during peak season. The temple often houses art exhibitions by both local and international artists and musical events also take place regularly.