Attractions > Kyoto > Shrines Temples > Kyoto East

About | Access | Hotels & Lodging | Hours & Fees

Eikando Zenrinji in Kyoto [Hideyuki KAMON|https://www.flickr.com/photos/hyougushi/69558114| CC BY-SA 2.0 ]

 

About

The "Eikando Zenrinji Temple" is the "Head Temple" for the Seizan branch of Japan's "Jodo Shu" Buddhist sect. The temple has gone through a variety of names but currently is best know just as "The Eikando Temple". Built around 863 the temple is very old and originally was devoted to the "Shingon" sect but shifted toward "Jodo Shu". The temple is famous for housing a statue of Amida Buddha which looks over it's shoulder instead of strait ahead. The story goes that one night while the monks were practicing a ritual, the statue actually stood up, walked a few steps and then turned it's head to the head monk called Yokan and said, "Yokan you are slow" and then froze once again in place. Other than the unique Buddha statue the temple houses a number of cultural treasures mainly of paintings. The temple is quite beautiful in the fall when the colors begin to change.

 

Access

Closest Train Station: Keage

48 Eikandocho
Kyoto, Kyoto 606-8445 Japan

Tel: 075-761-0007

Walk from Keage Station: It's around a 15-20 min. walk from Keage Station.
From JR Kyoto station: Bus - Take city bus Route 5, get off at the bus stop Nanzen-ji Eikando-michi and its a 3-minute walk. Or take city bus Route 100, get off at the bus stop Higashi Tenno-cho and its an 8-minute walk from there.

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Hotels & Lodging

Recommended

View a full list of Hotels and Lodging in or nearby Eikan-do.

 

Hours & Fees

Hours: The grounds of Shrines and Temples are generally open 27/7, 365 days a year but, many set their own hours. If hours are set, they are generally open from 9:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. in the morning and close around 4:30 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. in the evening.

Cost: The general grounds of Shrines and Temples are free but may charge a small fee (a couple/few hundred yen) for special gardens, exhibitions, artifact viewing, etc.

Information presented is based on the time it was created. There may be changes since publication. Please confirm information by visiting the Official Website before visiting.

 

Resources

Website: Eikan-do Homepage