A Tranquil Autumn Journey at Hōnen-in Temple in Kyoto

Hōnen-in Temple is a Jōdo sect temple in Kyoto, Japan, founded by the revered monk Hōnen Shōnin during the Song and Yuan dynasties. It is recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage site. The temple is famous for its thatched roof buildings and karesansui (dry landscape) gardens, with especially enchanting autumn foliage. The architecture features distinctive thatched roofs, and outside the mountain gate stands a stele inscribed in regular script forbidding the entry of meat, alcohol, and pungent spices, reflecting the Jōdo sect's precepts. The garden is primarily a dry landscape style, complemented by camellia flowers, creating a simple and solemn atmosphere. It is open year-round, and visitors can explore it between 6:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

Post by Savory Journeys | Oct 21, 2025