Hokongoin Temple (法金剛院)
A Buddhist temple located to the left of Narabigaoka Hill to the west of JR Hanazono Station. Originally the mountain retreat of Minister of the Right Kiyohara no Natsuno in the early Heian period, in 1130 it was restored as the Taikenmon-in by the wife of retired emperor Toba. The temple was then destroyed in the Onin War and then rebuilt by Shochin of the Sennyu-ji Temple in 1617. The temple houses a great number of Buddhist statues, paintings, and crafts. The Fujiwara period seated figure of Amitabha, the temple’s principal object of worship and a designated Important Cultural Property, is particularly worthy of note. In summer, some 90 varieties of sacred lotus bloom on the temple’s grounds, and thus the temple is also known as the “Lotus Temple.” The arrangement of the stones which make up Ao’onna-no-taki, Japan’s oldest artificial waterfall, creates a stunning sight, and the temple’s garden is designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty.
Kyoto Kyoutoshi Ukyou-ku Hanazonooginochou 49 (Ayashiyama / SaganoArea)
9:00-16:00
Kanrenkai Reiwa 2 years 7/11(Saturday)-8/2(Sunday) 7:00-15:30(Information desk closed)
*16:00 Gates shut
Details
- Address
- Kyoto Kyoutoshi Ukyou-ku Hanazonooginochou 49 [map]
- Phone
- 0754619428
- Hours
- 9:00-16:00
Kanrenkai Reiwa 2 years 7/11(Saturday)-8/2(Sunday) 7:00-15:30(Information desk closed)
*16:00 Gates shut - Closed
- 12/30, 31
- Fees
- [Adult]500yen
[College student]500yen
[Elementary/High school student]300yen - Parking Lot
- Available(10-15spaces)
- Credit Card
- Not available
- Smoking
- Not available
- Wi-Fi
- Not available
- English Menu
- Available (Pamphlet)
- Wheelchair accessible
- Yes (No inside the hall due to stairs, garden is possible)
- Infant friendly
- Available
- Pet friendly
- Not possible (only guide dogs are allowed)
Information Sources: NAVITIME JAPAN
Access
Kyoto Areas

Its wooden tea houses, shuffling geisha, and spiritual sights have seen Kyoto hailed as the heart of traditional Japan, a world apart from ultramodern Tokyo. Despite being the Japanese capital for over a century, Kyoto escaped destruction during World War II, leaving behind a fascinating history which can be felt at every turn, from the fully gold-plated Kinkakuji Temple down to traditional customs such as geisha performances and tea ceremonies, which are still practiced to this day.