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Walking Honnoji, Daitokuji & Kenninji: A One-Day Nobunaga Temple Tour in Kyoto
A practical one-day guide to Kyoto spots connected to Oda Nobunaga: Honnoji, Daitokuji, Kenninji, and Nijo Castle. Covers access, admission, best visiting times, and etiquette — everything you need to plan your pilgrimage without a history degree.
暦
Author
Koyomi
| Seasons & Customs
Contents
MOKUJI
一
Know Before You Go — Essential Info for All 4 Spots
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二
Morning — Honnoji and Nijo Castle
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三
Midday — Rest in the Gion Area
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四
Afternoon — Daitokuji to Close the Day
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五
Wrap-Up
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六
FAQ
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Honnoji Temple in Kyoto (Nakagyo ward). The current site, relocated after the Honnoji Incident, houses Nobunaga's mausoleum.
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Here is a handpicked one-day route through Kyoto’s Oda Nobunaga heritage sites. This practical guide covers four spots — Honnoji, Nijo Castle, Daitokuji, and Kenninji — that you can visit in a single day. Whether you’re a first-timer or a repeat Kyoto visitor, this itinerary prioritizes “how to move” over history lectures.
Know Before You Go — Essential Info for All 4 Spots
At-a-Glance Comparison
Spot
Access
Admission
Notes
Honnoji
3 min walk from Karasuma-Oike subway
Free (Treasure Hall ¥500)
Nobunaga’s mausoleum in the back
Nijo Castle
Directly from Nijojo-mae subway
¥800 (under 18: ¥200)
Closed Mondays
Daitokuji
1 min walk from bus stop “Daitokuji-mae”
Grounds free; sub-temples ¥400–600
Sokenin open spring & fall only
Kenninji
5 min walk from bus stop “Higashiyama-Yasui”
¥600
9:00–17:30 (Oct–Mar until 17:00)
What to Bring
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Comfortable walking shoes (lots of gravel paths)
•
Small change for admission and offerings
•
A goshuincho (stamp book) for temple seals
•
Portable charger
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A folding umbrella — Kyoto weather changes fast
How Long Will It Take?
Budget 6 to 8 hours for all four spots at a relaxed pace. Start at 9:00 and you’ll finish comfortably by 17:00 with time for lunch and photos.
Morning — Honnoji and Nijo Castle
Portrait of Oda Nobunaga, who was on the verge of unifying Japan when he was killed at Honnoji in 1582.
Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
9:00 Start at Honnoji for Morning Quiet
Honnoji is at its most peaceful before 10:00. The stone-paved approach and the soft scent of incense are best enjoyed when the crowds are thin. Honnoji is just a 3-minute walk from Karasuma-Oike Station (Subway Tozai/Karasuma lines). After paying respects at the main hall, walk to the back of the grounds to find Nobunaga’s mausoleum, where incense smoke still drifts before his memorial stone.
10:30 Nijo Castle — Where History Echoes Underfoot
It’s about a 10-minute walk from Honnoji to Nijo Castle. While the castle is better known for its Tokugawa legacy, it was here that Nobunaga received the 15th Ashikaga shogun in 1569. The nightingale floors of Ninomaru Palace — boards that squeak to warn of intruders — create an eerie, immersive experience. Admission is ¥800. Allow at least one hour.
Midday — Rest in the Gion Area
Daitokuji temple in Kyoto (Kita ward). The Zen complex where Nobunaga's grand memorial was held, with more than 20 sub-temples.
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
12:30 Lunch Near Kenninji
Take the city bus from Nijo Castle toward the Higashiyama district (around 25 minutes). The streets around Kenninji are lined with small restaurants serving Kyoto-style cuisine. Grab a light lunch before heading into the temple grounds.
13:30 Kenninji — Kyoto’s Oldest Zen Temple
Founded in 1202 by the monk Eisai, Kenninji is Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple. The highlight is the Twin Dragons ceiling painting in the Dharma Hall — covering 108 tatami mats, it’s one of the most jaw-dropping sights in all of Kyoto. Admission ¥600 covers the main gardens and Dharma Hall. Budget 1 to 1.5 hours.
Afternoon — Daitokuji to Close the Day
Nijo Castle's Ninomaru Palace, a National Treasure famous for its nightingale floors that squeak as a security measure.
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
15:00 Daitokuji — Where Nobunaga’s Memorial Was Held
From Kenninji, take the city bus north to Daitokuji (around 40 minutes). This sprawling Zen complex is where Toyotomi Hideyoshi held a grand memorial service for Nobunaga after the Honnoji Incident, cementing his status as the legitimate successor. The sub-temple Sokenin houses Nobunaga’s wooden effigy, visible during spring and autumn special openings.
15:30 Exploring Daitokuji’s Sub-Temples
More than 20 sub-temples dot the spacious grounds. Year-round open options include Ryogenin, Zuihouin, and Daisen-in, each with beautiful rock gardens. Admission per sub-temple runs ¥400–600. Pick up the free map at the entrance — the network of stone paths can be confusing without it.
Special Opening Season Calendar
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Spring: Around early to mid-April (cherry blossom season)
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Autumn: Mid-October to late November (fall foliage season)
Kenninji temple's Hojo hall and rock garden. Founded in 1202, it is Kyoto's oldest Zen temple.
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Wrap-Up
Visiting Tips
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Honnoji: Go early (9:00–10:00). Nobunaga’s mausoleum is at the back — easy to miss
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Nijo Castle: Closed Mondays. Allow 1+ hour for Ninomaru Palace
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Kenninji: Check photography rules for the Twin Dragons ceiling at the entrance
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Daitokuji: Arrive by 15:00. Sokenin opens spring and autumn only
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The Kyoto City Bus & Subway 1-Day Pass (¥700) saves money if you ride more than twice
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Bring a goshuincho — each temple offers a different seal
Related Spots
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Honnoji — The site of Nobunaga’s last stand; mausoleum inside the grounds
•
Nijo Castle — Where Nobunaga hosted the last Ashikaga shogun
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Daitokuji — The Zen temple where Nobunaga’s grand memorial was held
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Kenninji — Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple, home to the spectacular Twin Dragons
FAQ
Can I do all four spots in one day?
Yes. Starting at 9:00 and finishing by 17:00 is realistic if you keep each visit to 1–1.5 hours. If you want more time at one spot, consider spending less time at another. Allow extra time for lunch stops and temple seal collection.
When can I see Sokenin at Daitokuji?
Sokenin is only open during special public viewing periods in spring (around April) and autumn (October–November). Dates vary each year. Check Daitokuji’s latest information or the Kyoto City Tourism website before planning your visit.
Where can I buy a Kyoto City Bus 1-Day Pass?
The 1-Day Bus & Subway Pass (¥700) is available at subway station ticket machines, bus interiors, and tourist information centers. Buying it on the bus when you board for the first time in the morning is the easiest option.
Last updated: May 23, 2026
── 了 ──
暦
Author
Koyomi（こよみ）
Seasons & Customs
Toku editorial team — seasons and customs. Former travel-magazine editor delivering bloom timings, annual rituals and visit etiquette in sense-laden prose accessible to first-timers.
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This article was
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⤴
Key Figures
O
Oda Nobunaga
Revolutionary of Tenka Fubu
›
詣
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