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京都府
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Honno-ji Temple
京都府
The stage of the 1582 Honnoji Incident where Nobunaga fell to Akechi Mitsuhide — now the head temple of the Hokke-shu Honmon-ryu sect
Founded
1415
Type
Temple
Visited
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Access
3 min walk from Subway Tozai Line Kyoto-Shiyakusho-mae Station
522 Shimohonnojimaemachi, Teramachi-dori Oike Sagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
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Info
Temple
Founded 1415
611 years
Buddhist Sect
Nichiren Sect (Honmon-ryu)
Overview
Honno-ji is the head temple of the Hokke-shu Honmon-ryu sect located in Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, a temple inscribed in Japanese history as the site of the 'Honnoji Incident' of 1582 in which Oda Nobunaga was killed in the rebellion of Akechi Mitsuhide. The present Honno-ji stands on land different from the original site; within the precincts a memorial tower and mausoleum for Nobunaga have been establis…
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Origins
Founded in 1415 at Abura-no-koji Takatsuji by the Nichiren monk Nichiryu as 'Hon'o-ji,' the temple was soon renamed Honno-ji and became a major Hokke (Nichiren) base. The Tenbun Hokke War of 1536 saw its buildings burned by soldier-monks of Enryaku-ji, after which the community took refuge at Kenpon…
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祭
Festivals & Events
— 1

6月
2
Nobunaga Memorial
A memorial ceremony for Oda Nobunaga on the anniversary of his death at Honnoji.

記
Related Articles
— 6

記
The Honnoji Incident and the Rise of Toyotomi Hideyoshi
On June 2, 1582, Oda Nobunaga was killed at Honnoji in a coup by his general Akechi Mitsuhide. Just 11 days later, Toyotomi Hideyoshi defeated Mitsuhide at the Battle of Yamazaki. Through the Kiyosu Conference and a grand memorial at Daitokuji, Hideyoshi outmaneuvered his rivals to become Nobunaga's undisputed successor.
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記
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.
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記
The Mystery of the Honnoji Incident — Why Did Mitsuhide Betray Nobunaga?
On 2 June 1582, Akechi Mitsuhide stormed Honnoji temple in Kyoto and drove his lord Oda Nobunaga to suicide. This article explores the enduring mystery of the Honnoji Incident and its various theories.
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もっと詳しく · 3

人
Related Figures
— 3

Akechi Mitsuhide
Perpetrator of the Honnoji Incident
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On June 2, 1582, Mitsuhide marched from Tanba-Kameyama and ordered 'The enemy is at Honno-ji,' launching a surprise attack on his lord Nobunaga's lodging. The true motive remains debated, but the strike transformed Japan's political landscape. Just 13 days later, Mitsuhide was defeated by Hashiba Hideyoshi at the Battle of Yamazaki and killed while fleeing.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi
Taiko, Ruler of All
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Honno-ji burned down when Oda Nobunaga was killed by Akechi Mitsuhide's forces in the Honnoji Incident of 1582. Nine years later, in 1591, Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Kyoto urban reconstruction policy relocated and rebuilt the temple at its present site on Teramachi-Oike-sagaru. The temple's current location is thus a result of Hideyoshi's city planning.
Oda Nobunaga
Revolutionary of Tenka Fubu
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In the early hours of June 2, 1582, Nobunaga was lodging at Honno-ji with a small escort when Akechi Mitsuhide's forces surrounded the temple. With the words 'It cannot be helped,' he fought back but was overwhelmed, reportedly setting fire to the temple and dying by his own hand at age 49, on the cusp of unifying Japan.
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Visiting Information
Hours
Temple grounds (main hall worship) open for free visits 6:00–17:00. Daihoden Treasure Museum open 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30).
Admission
Free to enter grounds. Daihoden Treasure Museum: adults ¥700, junior/senior high ¥500, elementary/school trip/disabled ¥300.
As of 2026-07-17. Subject to change.
Official Links
Official Site
kyoto-honnouji.jp
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@kyoto_honnouji
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Instagram
@kyoto_honnouji
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記
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