Choin-In Temple in Kyoto is one of the most exciting and beautiful places to visit because of its lush landscape and calm, serene atmosphere. It is also known as the Monastery of Gratitude and, in Japanese, 知恩院.

Kyoto has always been one of the lovely places to visit just out of Osaka, and it is probably best to spend a few days here exploring the many beautiful temples. For me, it is only my second time here, and more is to come.

Here is a fun fact – Choin-In Temple is also home to the largest temple bell in Japan, which was made in 1633 and weighs 74 tons. Now, I saw the massive bell but was not allowed to touch it. So, anyone heading here, don’t go trying your luck.

According to history, the original temple was built in 1234 by Hōnen’s disciple, Genchi (1183–1238), in memory of his master and was named Chion-in. But I leave the history part for those who want to learn more, as you can visit the Choin-In Temple Wikipedia page.

Chion-in Temple in Kyoto Photography

Where is Chion-In Temple in Kyoto?

To get here, follow the directions from Google Maps above, as you can use the train, car or walking method.

Conclusion

This is truly one of the must-visit temples in Kyoto, and it is a 10-minute walk from the nearest subway station, which is also around the Maruyama Park area. For those who appreciate the finer things in life, I recommend you spend half a day here, absorbing the positive and ancient energy from the temple grounds.

Thanks for visiting my Chion-in Temple in Kyoto article, and I hope you like the photos. I will be doing a series of articles just for Japan, focusing mainly on smartphone photography, where I have been photographing many places with just my phone.