Nishi Hongan-ji (西本願寺 Nishi Hongan-ji) or the "Western Temple of the Original Vow", is one of two temple complexes of Jodo Shinshu in Kyoto, the other being Higashi Honganji (or "The Eastern Temple of the Original Vow"). Today it serves as the head temple of the Jodo Shinshu organization.[1]
Nishi Honganji was established in 1602 by the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu when he split the main Honganji in Kyoto in two (Higashi Honganji being the other) in order to diminish its power.[1]
The main entrance to Nishi Hongangi is to the east, located on Horikawa St. (堀川通), and the temple occupies almost the entire rectangle bounded by Hanayachō St. (花屋町通) to the north, Horikawa St. to the east, Shichijō St. (七条通) to the south, and Omiya St. (大宮) to the west. As the name says, it is west of Higashi Honganji temple. It is older than the latter and has more integral architecture.[1] It is also listed as one of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Directly to the west of the north side of the temple, along Hanayachō St., is the defunct courtesan's district of Shimabara.
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Coordinates: 34°59′30.4″N 135°45′6.1″E / 34.991778°N 135.751694°E
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