Chion-in Temple
Chion-in is the head temple of the Jodo school of Buddhism, in Kyoto's Higashiyama district.
piggybackjapan.com
Chion-in Temple
SaveContains ads | Our order isn't influenced by ads ▶ How we make money ▶ How we choose places
Chion-in is the head temple of the Jodo school of Buddhism, in Kyoto's Higashiyama district.
Its Sanmon gate, 24 meters tall and 50 meters wide, is among the largest wooden gates in Japan.
MoreWhat kind of place
Chion-in stands where Honen, who spread the nenbutsu chant, died, and its name comes from memorial gatherings his disciples held to repay his kindness. A disciple, Genchi, built a hall there in 1234, and today it is the head temple of the Jodo school.
With kidsThe part that matters
The Sanmon gate sets the scale, and beyond it the temple becomes a hunt for odd details. Past the gate, the main hall, Mieido, has door stoppers shaped like a water imp, a turtle and a cicada.
The paid Hojo Garden route adds a ladle 2.5 meters long and a cat painting that appears to glare from any side. Another find waits in the Yuzen-en garden: a Kannon statue in the middle of the pond. So a visit is about looking up at big things and finding small odd ones.
By age0-1 / 2-3 / 4-6
- Ages 0-1A short stop can be enough with a baby. One family with a 14-month-old (crawling age) and another child took a few photos here, then paused their temple tour so the very tired children could nap.
- Ages 2-3Not checked yet
- Ages 4-6Not checked yet
By weatherRain, heat, cold
- Rainy dayA rainy afternoon can be a quiet one. Still, that rests on one visit: shortly before 4 p.m. on the last day of Golden Week 2023, a visitor found fewer worshippers in the rain.
- Hot dayThe halls have no air conditioning apart from some reception rooms, so plan cooling stops outside. Also, Sanmontei near the gate sells ice cream, and the vending machines at Taiheitei, the rest house near Mieido Hall, sell drinks and ice cream.
- Cold dayNot checked yet
How was it with your kids?
Not greatGreat
Family checks✓ easy for your family
- ElevatorElevator：with conditionsconditions
- Stroller OKStroller friendly：not checked
- RentalStroller rental：not checked
- NursingNursing space：not checked
- ChangingDiaper changing table：not checked
- Family WCFamily restroom：with conditionsconditions
- Own foodOutside food allowed：not checked
- EnglishEnglish support：not checked
Tap a mark for details.
Not yet checked: 8
Lost-child support, Indoor / outdoor, Diaper disposal bin, Kids' toilet seat & step stool, Official family-friendly certification, High chair, Kids' menu, Best-fit ages (guide)
Green = we confirmed it. Gray = not checked yet. Gray with a line through = the place does not have it.
Chion-in Temple · Links & reads ▾
＋ Add a link
Save
Where to go next
With a baby (0–1)
- Eikando Zenrin-jiStroller friendlyDiaper changing tableElevator1.4 kmEikando, a Kyoto temple, is known for maples and a Buddha looking back over its shoulder.
- Higashi HonganjiStroller friendlyNursing spaceDiaper changing table2.8 kmHigashi Honganji is a Buddhist head temple, a 7-minute walk from Kyoto Station.
- Nanzen-ji TempleStroller friendlyDiaper changing tableFamily restroom15 min walkA Rinzai Zen head temple in Kyoto, founded in 1291 from a retired emperor's villa.
With preschoolers (4–6)
- Higashi HonganjiStroller friendlyNursing spaceDiaper changing table2.8 kmHigashi Honganji is a Buddhist head temple, a 7-minute walk from Kyoto Station.
- Nanzen-ji TempleStroller friendlyDiaper changing tableFamily restroom15 min walkA Rinzai Zen head temple in Kyoto, founded in 1291 from a retired emperor's villa.
- Kiyomizu-dera TempleTempleStroller friendlyDiaper changing tableFamily restroom1.3 kmKiyomizu-dera is a Buddhist temple founded in 778, set halfway up Mount Otowa in Kyoto.
With a toddler (2–3)
- Nanzen-ji TempleStroller friendlyDiaper changing tableFamily restroom15 min walkA Rinzai Zen head temple in Kyoto, founded in 1291 from a retired emperor's villa.
- Kiyomizu-dera TempleTempleStroller friendlyDiaper changing tableFamily restroom1.3 kmKiyomizu-dera is a Buddhist temple founded in 778, set halfway up Mount Otowa in Kyoto.
- Kyoto Tower SandoFood hall & souvenir marketDiaper changing tableFamily restroom3.0 kmA shopping complex connected to Kyoto Station, filled with Kyoto sweet and tea shops.
For sights
- Higashi HonganjiStroller friendlyNursing spaceDiaper changing table2.8 kmHigashi Honganji is a Buddhist head temple, a 7-minute walk from Kyoto Station.
- Eikando Zenrin-jiStroller friendlyDiaper changing tableElevator1.4 kmEikando, a Kyoto temple, is known for maples and a Buddha looking back over its shoulder.
- Nanzen-ji TempleStroller friendlyDiaper changing tableFamily restroom15 min walkA Rinzai Zen head temple in Kyoto, founded in 1291 from a retired emperor's villa.
- Kiyomizu-dera TempleTempleStroller friendlyDiaper changing tableFamily restroom1.3 kmKiyomizu-dera is a Buddhist temple founded in 778, set halfway up Mount Otowa in Kyoto.
Where it is
The address is 400 Rinka-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto (postal code 605-8686).source
Before you go
- The direct way from the Sanmon gate up to Mieido Hall is a steep stone staircase called Otokozaka: the temple's FAQ counts 51 steps, and one visitor who counted 49 wrote that each step is higher than an ordinary stone step.
- Two easier ways up exist: Onnazaka, a gentler stone staircase on its south side, and a free shuttle bus from in front of the Sanmon gate to in front of Mieido Hall, running 9:00 to 16:00 except 13:00 to 14:00. One visitor called climbing either staircase with large luggage close to impossible, so use the shuttle when you are carrying a lot. A slope for cars and wheelchairs also runs up on the right as you face the Sanmon gate, and one visitor went up it in a power-assisted wheelchair. Whether a stroller can use any of these routes has not been confirmed.
- Hojo Garden stops selling before the gate closes: it accepts visitors from 9:00 to 15:50 (combined tickets until 15:20), and Yuzen-en from 9:00 to 16:00. The temple's own pages disagree. Its Japanese visitor guide gives gate hours of 6:00 to 16:00, with different opening times on some event and memorial days such as New Year's Day, and a 2022 visitor warns the gate shuts at 16:00 in every season. Its English page says the gate closes at 16:30, and its FAQ gives viewing until 16:30 with reception ending at 16:00. So aim to be done by 16:00.
- On ordinary days the grounds are free and the two gardens charge: adults (high school and up) pay 400 yen for Hojo Garden, 300 yen for Yuzen-en or 500 yen for both, and elementary and junior-high students pay 200, 150 or 250 yen. No price is listed for younger children, and Yuzen-en does not take credit cards. Prices can differ during special viewings, and Hojo Garden is part of one from October 31 to November 13, 2026.
- Shoes come off before entering a hall, and photos and recordings are not allowed inside; outdoors, photos are fine but monopods, tripods and drones are banned. The grounds are completely non-smoking.
- The Sanmon's upper floor is normally closed but opens for a special viewing from October 31 to November 13, 2026 (9:00 to 16:00; 1,000 yen for adults, 500 yen for junior-high and high-school students, nothing stated for younger children), and one visitor described its stairs as having narrow treads, tall risers and a thick rope to hold. One visitor who went up during a special viewing reported that photography was banned both inside and for the view from the corridor. The 2026 autumn light-up runs from November 17 to December 6, 17:30 to 21:30 (entry until 21:00), at 800 yen for adults and 400 yen for elementary and junior-high students; during it the upper floor's corridor is also open.
- In heavy rain the temple has restricted part of the approach routes (June 26, 2026), and when a typhoon nears it may restrict passage or change or suspend its reception windows. Hojo Garden also closes for the day or changes its route on some event days (it was closed all day on July 12, 2025), so check the temple's announcements before you go.
Sources and evidence (46)
- An accessible toilet with ostomy support sits behind Mieido Hall, inside the same door as the elevator (a 2022 visitor's account).source
- An elevator behind Mieido Hall let a wheelchair user reach the hall; it is shallow, so the wheelchair went in at an angle (2022).source
- Hanamizuan, the dining room of the temple's lodging Wajun Kaikan (a different facility), served a kids' breakfast set in February 2018.source
- Walking the temple grounds is free; only the Hojo Garden and Yuzen-en garden charge a fee.source
- Adults (high school and up) pay 300 yen for Yuzen-en, 400 yen for Hojo Garden, or 500 yen for both.source
- Elementary and junior-high students pay 150, 200 or 250 yen for the same tickets; no price is listed for younger children.source
- The Kyoto City Tourism Association says the temple grounds are free to enter.source
- The combined ticket for Hojo Garden and Yuzen-en costs 500 yen for adults, though the price can differ during special viewings.source
- Yuzen-en costs 300 yen for adults and 150 yen for children, and credit cards are not accepted there.source
- The gates open and close from 6:00 to 16:00, and reception windows open at 9:00; opening times differ on a few event and memorial days (such as New Year's Day).source
- The temple's FAQ gives viewing hours of 9:00 to 16:30, with reception ending at 16:00.source
- Yuzen-en garden reception is open from 9:00 to 16:00.source
- Hojo Garden reception runs from 9:00 to 15:50, and combined-ticket sales end at 15:20.source
- The grounds run 6:00 to 16:00, Yuzen-en 9:00 to 16:00 and Hojo Garden 9:00 to 15:50.source
- The gate closes at 16:00 in every season, so allow for it (a 2022 visitor's warning).source
- There are no closed days and visitors can come any day, though the gardens close or change their route on some event days.source
- The temple has no regular closing day (a travel listing's wording).source
- Allow about 40 minutes at a normal pace or about an hour if you go slowly, depending on the route you take.source
- Lodging guests at Wajun Kaikan needed no advance booking for the morning service; they gathered in the lobby at 6:10 (December 2017).source
- The address is 400 Rinka-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto (postal code 605-8686).source
- The English guide page lists viewing from 9:00 to 15:50 and gate closing at 16:30, which differs from the Japanese page.source
- The temple's FAQ says Otokozaka, the steep stairs from the Sanmon gate to Mieido Hall, has 51 steps.source
- A free shuttle bus runs from in front of the Sanmon gate to in front of Mieido Hall.source
- The free shuttle runs from 9:00 to 16:00, except from 13:00 to 14:00.source
- Hojo Garden closes for the day or changes its route on some event days (for example, closed all day on July 12, 2025).source
- Shoes come off before entering a hall, and photography and recording are not allowed inside.source
- Photos are allowed outside the halls, but monopods, tripods and drones are not.source
- The whole temple grounds are non-smoking, and open flames are prohibited.source
- The Sanmon's upper floor is normally closed, but it can be seen during special viewings.source
- The Sanmon's upper floor is open to the public from October 31 to November 13, 2026, 9:00 to 16:00, for 1,000 yen (adults) or 500 yen (junior-high and high-school students).source
- The announcement does not state a price for elementary school students and younger.source
- The 2026 autumn light-up also opens the Sanmon's upper floor, corridor only.source
- In heavy rain the temple has restricted part of the approach routes to the grounds (for example on June 26, 2026).source
- When a typhoon approaches, the temple may restrict passage on the grounds or change or suspend its reception windows.source
- From October 31 to November 13, 2026, the Sanmon gate, the Ohojo and Kohojo halls and Hojo Garden are part of a special viewing.source
- The 2026 autumn light-up runs from November 17 to December 6, 17:30 to 21:30.source
- Light-up entry closes at 21:00.source
- Light-up tickets cost 800 yen for adults and 400 yen for elementary and junior-high students.source
- Two routes lead from the Sanmon gate to Mieido Hall: Otokozaka, steep stone stairs, and Onnazaka, a gentler route.source
- A slope for cars and wheelchairs runs up on the right as you face the Sanmon gate, and one visitor went up it in a power-assisted wheelchair.source
- One visitor counted 49 steps on Otokozaka and wrote that each step is higher than an ordinary stone step.source
- Onnazaka is a gentler stone staircase on the south side of Otokozaka.source
- One visitor called climbing Otokozaka or Onnazaka with large luggage close to impossible.source
- One visitor who went up during a special viewing reported that photography was banned both inside the Sanmon's upper floor and for the view from its corridor.source
- One visitor described the stairs up into the Sanmon as having narrow treads and tall risers.source
- On those stairs a thick rope hangs from the handrail, and visitors hold it as they climb.source
Basics
- Fee: The Kyoto City Tourism Association says the temple grounds are free to enter.source
- Hours: The grounds run 6:00 to 16:00, Yuzen-en 9:00 to 16:00 and Hojo Garden 9:00 to 15:50.source
- Booking: Lodging guests at Wajun Kaikan needed no advance booking for the morning service; they gathered in the lobby at 6:10 (December 2017).source
Once you've decided
evidence & sources (2)
| Nursing space | Not checked yet | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diaper changing table | Not checked yet | ||||
| Family restroom | Yes | An accessible toilet with ostomy support sits behind Mieido Hall, inside the same door as the elevator (a 2022 visitor's account). | Web-checked | checked Jan ’22 | ashitodo.hatenablog.com |
| Stroller friendly | Not checked yet | ||||
| Lost-child supportExtra info — guide only | Not checked yet | ||||
| Indoor / outdoor | Not checked yet | ||||
| Diaper disposal bin | Not checked yet | ||||
| Kids' toilet seat & step stool | Not checked yet | ||||
| Elevator | Yes | An elevator behind Mieido Hall let a wheelchair user reach the hall; it is shallow, so the wheelchair went in at an angle (2022). | Web-checked | checked Jan ’22 | ashitodo.hatenablog.com |
| English support | Not checked yet | ||||
| Outside food allowed | Not checked yet | ||||
| Official family-friendly certificationExtra info — guide only | Not checked yet | ||||
| High chair | Not checked yet | ||||
| Kids' menu | Not checked yet | ||||
| Best-fit ages (guide)Extra info — guide only | Not checked yet |
Reviews
Reviews