Temple

Horin-ji

Arashiyama, Kyoto

Address
Arashiyama Kokuzoyama-cho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 〒616-0006 京都府京都市西京区嵐山虚空蔵山町

Source: kokuzohourinji.com, checked 11 Oct 2026.

The main hall of Horin-ji on the slope of Arashiyama, with lanterns under its eaves and stone statues by the steps
Photo: Nnh / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Horin-ji sits halfway up Arashiyama on the far side of the river, and the monk Gyoki founded it in 713. From the stage-like terrace beside the main hall you look out over Togetsukyo, Sagano, the Higashiyama hills and the city. On the way up, the little Denden-gu shrine guards electricity and radio waves.

Nearest station Arashiyama (Hankyu)
Cost Free
Time needed 30 min
Best time Clear days

Insider tip

It's the temple for Jusan Mairi, when children who turn 13 by the traditional count come to pray for wisdom. Togetsukyo started as this temple's bridge, built by its monk Dosho and known as Horin-ji Bridge until the Edo period. The terrace stays closed all day on the night of the Daimonji bonfire in August.

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What's on at Horin-ji

Upcoming events at Horin-ji and within a ten-minute walk, from the weekly Kyoto events calendar.

Festival

Performing Arts Prayer Service at Horin-ji

芸能上達祈願祭

10 Mar Horin-ji, Arashiyama

Time From 13:00 Station Arashiyama Station (Hankyu), 5 min walk

Horin-ji, guardian of wisdom and skills, holds a service from 13:00 for people praying to improve in the arts.

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The main hall of Horin-ji on the slope of Arashiyama, with lanterns under its eaves and stone statues by the steps Nnh, Public domain
Festival

Spring Jusan-mairi Rite at Horin-ji

春の十三まいり

13 Mar to 13 May Horin-ji, Arashiyama

Time 09:00 to 16:00 Station Arashiyama Station (Hankyu), 5 min walk

Thirteen-year-olds visit Horin-ji to pray to Kokuzo Bosatsu for wisdom and to ward off misfortune, with prayer registration 09:00 to 16:00.

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The main hall of Horin-ji on the slope of Arashiyama, with lanterns under its eaves and stone statues by the steps Nnh, Public domain
Festival

Arashiyama Lantern Floating

嵐山灯籠流し

16 Aug (dates to be confirmed) Nakanoshima Park, Arashiyama, Arashiyama

Time 19:00 to 21:00 Station Arashiyama (Hankyu), 5 min walk

Lanterns for the dead are floated on the Oi River from Nakanoshima Park on the night of the Okuribi, and the Toriigata bonfire can be seen from round Togetsukyo from 20:20. A lantern with a memorial tablet is ¥1,500, staff set it on the water for you, and high or low water can stop the floating.

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Festival Starts in 8 days

Arashiyama Small Forest Connect Fes (Nishikyo Connect)

嵐山の小さな森のつながるフェス -にしきょうCONNECT-

31 Oct Hankyu Arashiyama Station riverside plaza, Arashiyama

Time 10:00 to 16:00 Station Arashiyama (Hankyu)

For Nishikyo Ward's 50th anniversary, local cafes and bakeries set up food stalls beside the river, with a stage, kids' activities and a mini Hankyu train. Held in light rain, cancelled in a storm.

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Festival Free

Mifune Matsuri Boat Festival

三船祭（車折神社）

16 May (dates to be confirmed) Oi River above Togetsukyo Bridge, Arashiyama

Time About 13:00 to 14:15 Station Arashiyama-koen bus stop (City Bus 28)

Kurumazaki Shrine recreates a Heian boating party on the river just above Togetsukyo, with a dragon-headed boat, fans floated on the water and bugaku dance from the decks.

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The wooden Togetsukyo bridge across the river with the Arashiyama hills behind Antonio Campoy, CC BY 2.0

Smaller local events nearby

  • Hari-kuyo needle memorial at Horin-ji Festival

    On now, until 8 Dec · Kokuzo Horin-ji, Arashiyama

    Worn needles are pushed into konnyaku at 13:00, and a Japanese dance is offered after the service.

    Free · Map · Source: Kokuzo Horin-ji · 法輪寺 針供養

  • Autumn Jusan-mairi at Horin-ji Festival

    On now, until 30 Nov · Kokuzo Horin-ji, Arashiyama

    Children of age 13 by the old count visit for wisdom from 1 October to 30 November; prayers are taken 9:00 to 16:00 without booking.

    Prayer from ¥5,000 per week · Map · Source: Kokuzo Horin-ji · 法輪寺 秋の十三まいり

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Nearby

Iwatayama Monkey Park Park · 2 min walk About 120 wild Japanese macaques live on Mount Iwata, just across the river from central Arashiyama. Fufu no Yu Onsen · 3 min walk Fufu no Yu is a day spa a minute's walk from Hankyu Arashiyama Station. Togetsukyo Bridge Landmark · 4 min walk The 155 m bridge over the Oi River, with wooded hills rising right behind it, is the picture most people carry of Arashiyama. Fukuda Art Museum Museum · 5 min walk This museum by Togetsukyo shows Japanese painting, mostly from the Edo period to the modern era, in seasonal exhibitions. Arashiyama Yoshimura Food · 6 min walk Yoshimura makes its own soba in the former home of the painter Kawamura Manshu, two doors west of the north end of Togetsukyo, with the bridge and... Hogon-in Temple · 7 min walk Hogon-in is a subtemple of Tenryu-ji that only opens in spring and autumn.

Around Arashiyama

Bamboo at first light, then the maple temples under Mount Ogura

Arashiyama is on Kyoto's north-western edge, where Togetsukyo Bridge crosses the Oi River with wooded hills right behind it. You'll want the bridge, Tenryu-ji and the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and so will everyone else. Go early. Then walk north into Sagano. Its temples line the foot of Mount Ogura, and it's quieter at the far end, which Kyoto's official tourism site calls Okusaga.

Arashiyama has 30 places on the Roam Kyoto map: 14 shrines and temples, 4 landmarks, 3 parks and gardens, 2 restaurants, 2 bathhouses, 1 cafe, 1 museum, 1 viewpoint, 1 shop and 1 neighbourhood. Read the Arashiyama guide.

Good to know

What is the address of Horin-ji?
Arashiyama Kokuzoyama-cho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto (in Japanese: 京都府京都市西京区嵐山虚空蔵山町).
How do I get to Horin-ji?
The nearest station is Arashiyama (Hankyu). Horin-ji is in Arashiyama, Kyoto.
How much does Horin-ji cost?
Nothing. Horin-ji is free to visit.
How long do you need at Horin-ji?
Plan for 30 min.
When is the best time to visit Horin-ji?
Clear days.

Stay near Horin-ji

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