David Explores

Chion-in Temple in Kyoto

David

Kyoto Chion-in Temple

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.

Chion-in Temple in Kyoto

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. 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 will leave the history part for those who want to learn more, as you can find on the Choin-In Temple Wikipedia page.

Chion-in Temple in Kyoto Photography

Temple photography in Kyoto.
One of the entrances.
Temple roof.
One of the largest temples in Kyoto.
Simple temple photography.
Photograph of Buddha inside the temple.
Some interesting photography subjects inside the temple.
More temple photography.
Temple roofs are always a great photo subject.
One of the most beautiful statues in the temple.
This is the Largest Temple Bell in Japan.
One of the Buddha statues is in the temple.
A peaceful Buddha statue inside the temple.
The layout map of the temple.
Jodo Shu Head Temple.
The overall map of Chion-In Temple.

Where is Chion-In Temple in Kyoto?

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

If this is your inaugural trip here, you can read my article on places to visit in Kyoto for first-timers as it narrows down the most popular tourist attractions.

For those looking for a convenient place to stay, I recommend the Travelodge Kyoto Kawaramachi, which is located downtown and very near all the shopping attractions.

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 article about the Chion-in Temple in Kyoto. 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.

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