Private tour in Kyoto Brian V
up to 6 people
3 hours 30 minutes
Walking
1
Brian V.
It is fair to say that I am not your typical tour guide. Among other things, this is evidenced by...
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Visitors to Kyoto quickly realize how crowded the city's famous temples are. This tour is unique in offering the opportunity to visit a major, yet quiet, Buddhist temple complex, popularly known as Higashi Honganji, located within easy walking distance of Kyoto Station. As a twenty-five year resident of Japan and an American-born Buddhist priest and scholar, I will introduce you to the fascinating history of this temple together with the history, doctrines and iconography of the True Pure Land (Shin) sect of Buddhism with which it is affiliated. You will learn, for example, why the True Pure Land sect strongly opposes the practice of all forms of meditation. Instead, this sect places its faith exclusively in the original vow said to have been made by Amida Buddha. Higashi Honganji temple has no entrance fee since it remains what it has been for more than four centuries, a place of pilgrimage for practicing Buddhists from throughout Japan. Note: If you are 1 or 2 persons, please contact me for a new quote.
On arrival at Higashi Honganji, we first go to the temple's reception center where seated on comfortable benches, I will give you a general introduction to the temple and its history. This is followed by a visit to the adjacent temple gallery that features an explanation of the life and teachings of the sect's 13th-century founder, Shinran (1173-1263). From there we visit the temple's two major worship halls, the first of which is said to be the largest wooden building in the world. Following our visit to Higashi Honganji, the tour moves a short walking distance to Shōsei-en, a large, temple-affiliated, traditional Japanese garden, featuring flowering plants, bridges, large ponds, and traditional teahouses. I will explain the history of Japanese gardens and teahouses as well as answer any questions you may have about Buddhist beliefs and practices in general. There is a garden entrance fee of ¥500 per person (US$5).
Contact your local guide to know more!!
Walking
Central Entrance, Kyoto, Kyoto, 600-8216 Japan
We meet in the 2nd floor lobby of the Granvia Hotel located up the escalator in Kyoto Station
(3)
Book with a 20% deposit!
Size:
up to 6 people
Duration:
3 hours 30 minutes
Transportation:
Walking
1
Book with a 20% deposit!
Size:
up to 6 people
Duration:
3 hours 30 minutes
Transportation:
Walking
1
You will receive an email shortly with your booking and payment information.