Myohoin Temple at a Glance
Myohoin Temple (妙法院) is a Tendai monzeki temple, headed in the past by imperial princes, in Myohoin-maegawa-cho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture; its Momoyama-period kuri is a National Treasure, and its Daishoin and entrance hall, both dated 1619, are Important Cultural Properties. The temple also administers Sanjusangendo, the main hall of Rengeoin.
According to the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Myohoin traces its founding to Saicho and has ranked as a monzeki temple since the Heian period. The Kyoto City Tourism Association explains that the name began with Kaishu of Hongakuin in the Saito precinct of Mount Hiei, who was known by this alternative name in the late Heian period, and that imperial princes served as its abbots until the end of the Edo period.
The Move to Its Present Site
The Agency's commentary records that in 1614, in the aftermath of the dispute over the inscription on the bell of Hokoji, Prince Docho moved to Kitashirakawa and his successor, Prince Join, moved the temple to its present site and enlarged its grounds. The kuri is said to survive from the time before the move, when Toyotomi Hideyoshi held a memorial service for a thousand monks at the Great Buddha Hall of Hokoji. If that tradition is correct, it was built in 1595.
The Daishoin and entrance hall both date from 1619 in the Agency's records. The Kyoto City Tourism Association says the Daishoin is said to be a former palace building of Tofukumon-in, consort of Emperor Go-Mizunoo, and that its walls and sliding doors are painted by the Kano school.
Designated Structures
Three structures are designated. The kuri was first designated in 1914 under earlier law and became a National Treasure in 1957. The Daishoin and entrance hall were designated in 1914.
The kuri is a large building, 21.8 metres by 23.7 metres, which the Agency praises for expressing the grand spirit of the Momoyama period. The Daishoin measures 5 ken by 6 ken and the entrance hall 7 ken by 4 ken, both with hip-and-gable roofs of wooden shingles.
Visiting and Getting There
According to the Kyoto City Tourism Association, Myohoin is normally closed to the public, and the interiors of the Daishoin and kuri open only for special viewings. Each year on May 14, the Satsukie festival offers a participatory service and free viewing of cultural properties from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., though it may be cancelled or changed.
The kuri is under renovation until 2027, and during this period entry to the grounds may be restricted and the Satsukie events altered, the association notes. Check with the temple (075-561-0467) before visiting. Myohoin Temple is about 12 minutes on foot from Shichijo Station on the Keihan Line, or about 2 minutes from the Higashiyama Shichijo or Umamachi city bus stops.
References
- 妙法院庫裏 (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/1751
- 妙法院大書院 (Database of National Cultural Properties)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/1749
- 妙法院玄関 (Database of National Cultural Properties)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/1750
- 妙法院 (Kyoto City Tourism Association)
- https://ja.kyoto.travel/tourism/single01.php?category_id=7&tourism_id=472
Last verified: 2026.10.03
Basic Information
| Name | Myohoin Temple |
|---|---|
| Location | 447 Myohoin-maegawa-cho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture |
| Owner | Myohoin Temple |
| Designation | National Treasure (1) · Important Cultural Property (2) |
| Coordinates | 34.99019, 135.77517 |
