Chion-in Temple

The Chion-in Temple is a large Buddhist temple complex with 106 buildings, located at the foot of Mt. Kacho (one of the 36 Peaks of Kyoto’s Higashiyama hills); it is the head temple of the Jodo (Pure Land) sect of Buddhism. The extensive temple grounds have around 250 cherry trees, including Yoshino, hill cherry and weeping cherry trees, and the Temple is famous as a marvelous place for viewing cherry blossom; visitors greatly admire the sight of cherry blossom set against the backdrop of historic temple buildings. Particularly worth seeing are the Yoshino cherry trees located near the Sanmon Gate (a National Treasure that is the tallest wooden structure of its kind in Japan), and the cherry trees situated in and near the Yuzen Gardens and the Temple’s burial ground. During the period between late March and mid-April each year, when the cherry blossom is in full bloom, the Chionin Temple receives large numbers of visitors. The Temple is open from 9:00 to 16:30 (last admission at 16:00); there is no charge for admission to the Temple grounds. Shops, toilets, and parking available. The nearest station is Higashiyama Station.