Hongwanji – Nishi Honganji

Este fue el primer templo que vimos en Kyoto, y lo encontramos medio «sin querer queriendo» mientras caminábamos desde nuestro alojamiento hacia Kyoto Station. El templo está muy bien cuidado, es gratis, y cierra relativamente tarde (a las 18:00, más tarde que la mayoría al menos). No es de los más impresionantes, pero si pasas justo por ahí vale la pena darle una vueltita.

One of the few free-​admission Buddhist temples in a city where temples require money just to see statues, Nishi Honganji Temple (Western Original Vow Temple) is also one of the most important temples in Japanese history! This temple is the head temple of the Jodo Shinsen Buddhist sect that once so powerful that the warlords had vie for or fight against the sect’s influence during the Warring Period.
Free admission? High historical importance? Beautiful architecture? Can’t beat this combination!
If you see the Kyoto map, there are two Honganji Temples that are only a block or two away: Western and Eastern Honganji Temples. This is the western one and also the original one before Shogun Tokugawa forced the sect to divide, so this Honganji Temple is slightly older than its eastern counterpart.
Aside from the main gate that is ranked as a National Treasure, the temple ground’s main attractions are the two large wooden buildings: the Amida Hall that houses the sect’s main Buddha and the Hall of Sacred Image that houses the previous masters’ relic. Both buildings are a historical marvel with an impressive wooden structures on the outside and a tatami-​covered floor within. Be sure to check out the beautiful chandelier in the Amida Hall!
Especially since it’s free, why not check out this beautiful and impressive temple? I highly recommend taking a short walk tour to visit both Honganji Temples to see the differences and similarities.
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tl;dr version:
1) FREE admission!
2) Important temple with significant historical role
3) Impressive wooden structure outside and inside

It takes 20minutes’ walk or so from JR Kyoto station. I always came here on foot. If you are not confident in physical condition, you had better take a bus or taxi from railway stations.
In the same way as Higashi Honganji temple, this Nishi Honganji temple has a vast ground. Amitabha hall and Mikage hall are similar to the ones of Higashi Honganji temple. There are several gates, some of which are closed. If you come here, you should see the gate called Karamon first of all. It is a relic of Fushimi castle. You are astonished at its elaborate showy sculptures on the gate. Its another name is «Higurashi no Mon». Higurashi means sun set and Mon means a gate. In front of the gate you forgot time and were absorbed in watching the gate until sun set. The beautiful gate is designated as national treasure.
Others: two types of study rooms called «Shiro Shoin» for guests and «Kuro Shoin» for Buddhist priest. Shiro means white and Kuro black. The painting of a cat on the ceiling, which glares at you everywhere is humorous.
Its denomination is Jodo Shinsyu religion, which my mother’s family believes in. So the Buddhist priest had lunch with us after the memorial service of my grandma. He ate meat and fish and drank alcoholic beverage, it is not so strict as other religious sects.
It is nicknamed «Onishisan» among Kyoto dwellers in the same way as «Ohigashisan» for Higashi Honganji temple. Kyotoites like to place «O» and «San» before and after a word respectively. It is a womanlike and grace expression of Kyoto.