Chion-in
知恩院
Higashiyama, Kyoto · 京都
The head temple of Pure Land Buddhism, entered under a 24-metre Sanmon gate from 1621, with a 70-tonne bell that takes seventeen monks to ring at New Year.
Why it’s worth it
The gate is the thing. Stand at the bottom of the stone steps and look up — nothing else in Kyoto is built at this scale, and it is free to approach.
CategoryCulture
AreaHigashiyama
Hours09:00–16:00 · grounds always open
sanmon gatebellscale
Nearby
Walking distance from Chion-in
More culture
Shrines, palaces and quiet rooms
Photo by Dmitry Romanoff on Pexels