Otani Hombyo
Higashiyama, Kyoto
- Daily
- 5:30 to 17:00
These are the main and north gate hours. Muryoju-do hall 8:00 to 16:30.
Source: otani-hombyo.hongwanji.or.jp, checked 11 Oct 2026.
Otani Hombyo is the mausoleum of Shinran, founder of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, moved here, to Higashiyama-Gojo, in 1603. You come in over the Entsukyo, a stone bridge of 1856 with two arches that's nicknamed the spectacles bridge, above a pond of Oga lotus said to be grown from a 2,000-year-old seed.
Insider tip
It's right by the Gojozaka bus stop. Come in summer and look down on the pink lotus from the bridge.
What's on near Otani Hombyo
Upcoming events within a ten-minute walk of Otani Hombyo, from the weekly Kyoto events calendar.
Gojo Wakamiya Pottery Fair
五条若宮陶器祭
Time 10:00 to 21:00 Station Kiyomizu-Gojo (Keihan), 5 min walk
Potters and kilns, about 130 of them in 2026, sell along the pavements of Gojo-dori between Yamatooji and Higashioji and at Wakamiya Hachimangu. The fair ran for about a century from the Taisho era and was revived in 2023, and it goes ahead in the rain.
Higashiyama Ward Fureai Hiroba 2026
東山区民ふれあいひろば2026
Time 10:30 to 15:00 Station Kiyomizu-michi City Bus stop, short walk
A ward festival with a stage of school band, dance and calligraphy performances, children's games, stalls selling vegetables, sweets and pottery, food stalls and a stamp rally. There is no visitor parking.
Imahie Festival
新日吉祭（いまひえまつり）
Time From noon Station Higashiyama-Shichijo bus stop, 7 min walk
A festival once watched by retired emperors, with a procession of sword-halberds, palanquins and child generals around Shichijo, and a departure rite at noon.
Kuya's Dancing Nembutsu at Rokuharamitsu-ji
空也踊躍念仏
Time 15:00 on 13 to 15, 19, 20 and 26 to 30 Dec Station Kiyomizu-michi bus stop (City Bus 206), 7 min walk
The dancing nembutsu that Kuya, the temple's founder, started to drive away an epidemic in the Heian period is an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. It's held at 15:00 on 13 to 15, 19, 20 and 26 to 30 Dec, and the 31 Dec service is closed to the public.
Hikomi Moneru, CC BY 3.0 Obuku-cha New Year Tea at Rokuharamitsu-ji
皇服茶
Time 09:00 to 16:00 Station Gojozaka bus stop, 10 min walk
Tea brewed with water drawn on New Year's Day, with a small plum and kelp, is served at Rokuharamitsu-ji in the Obuku-cha custom started by the priest Kuya.
Hikomi Moneru, CC BY 3.0 Smaller local events nearby
Kyoto Pottery Doll Exhibition (69th) Exhibition
On now, until 28 Oct · Kyoto Ceramics Hall, Higashiyama
An exhibition of Kyoto pottery dolls by eight makers on the 2nd floor gallery and 1st floor hall of Kyoto Ceramics Hall, with a sales corner for zodiac and lucky items. Closed Thursdays.
10:00 to 18:00 (16:00 on the last day) · Map · Source: Kyoto Ceramics Association · 第69回 京陶人形展
Shibutani Road to Seikan-ji and Kiyomizu-dera Toribeno walk (Higashiyama B) Festival
Listed days, 9:00 Oct to Dec, 12:30 Jan to Feb. Next: Thu 29 Oct · Otani Honbyo, Higashiyama
Guided walk along the old Shibutani road past Seikan-ji to Kiyomizu-dera, meeting at Otani Honbyo. In Japanese only, booking required, 10 places a day.
¥3,960 including Seikan-ji admission (elementary and under ¥1,980) · 9:00 to 11:30 (Oct to Dec), 12:30 to 15:00 (Jan to Feb) · Map · Source: Heritage Hub Kyoto · 【京都東山B】渋谷街道〜清閑寺〜清水寺 鳥辺野古社寺めぐり
Nearby
Around Higashiyama
Kiyomizu-dera at opening, then the temples and pottery below it
Higashiyama is a whole ward, but this guide covers the slope from Kiyomizu-dera down to Shichijo-dori. Go early. The temple's gates open at 6:00, and if you're there then, you'll reach its wooden stage long before the day's crowds. Later, walk down past the pottery shops of Gojozaka to Sanjusangendo, where 1,001 statues of Kannon stand in a hall 120 metres long.
Higashiyama has 22 places on the Roam Kyoto map: 10 shrines and temples, 4 shops, 2 museums, 2 neighbourhoods, 1 cafe, 1 viewpoint, 1 restaurant and 1 landmark. Read the Higashiyama guide.
Good to know
- What is the address of Otani Hombyo?
- 6-514 Gojobashi-higashi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto (in Japanese: 京都市東山区五条橋東6丁目514).
- What are the opening hours of Otani Hombyo?
- Daily 5:30 to 17:00. These are the main and north gate hours. Muryoju-do hall 8:00 to 16:30.
- How do I get to Otani Hombyo?
- The nearest station is Gojozaka bus stop (City Bus 206). Otani Hombyo is in Higashiyama, Kyoto.
- How much does Otani Hombyo cost?
- Nothing. Otani Hombyo is free to visit.
- How long do you need at Otani Hombyo?
- Plan for 30 min.
- When is the best time to visit Otani Hombyo?
- Summer, for the lotus.
Stay near Otani Hombyo
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