Honnō-ji Temple

Honnō-ji Temple is perhaps most famously associated with the death of Oda Nobunaga. Although the temple’s current location is not the same as that of the feudal lord’s dramatic demise, history buffs still have more than enough to get excited about on a visit.

What to expect

Honnō-ji Temple was founded in 1415 and belongs to the Nichiren branch of Buddhism. The temple has been rebuilt numerous times due to fires and attacks, most notably after the Honnō-ji Incident near the end of the 16th century.

The Honnō-ji Incident refers to the morning of June 21, 1582. In an act of betrayal, General Akechi Mitsuhide, Nobunaga’s right-hand man, gathered his forces and surrounded Nobunaga and Honnō-ji Temple, setting it ablaze. Recognizing escape was impossible, Nobunaga committed seppuku as the temple burned around him. The temple was destroyed, and Nobunaga’s remains were never officially found. The temple has been rebuilt and destroyed a number of times since.

The present temple was constructed in 1928 and houses Nobunaga’s mausoleum and several of his personal belongings. The temple also has a number of other religious artifacts, artworks, donations, and the famous three-legged frog incense burner, which is said to have croaked shortly before Mitsuhide’s attack.

How to get there

Honnō-ji Temple is located in the middle of Kyoto’s shopping district, right near Nishiki Market and not far from other sites like Gion or the Kyoto National Garden. By train, take the Tozai Subway Line to Shiyakusho-mae Station, and the temple is a 1-minute walk from there. By City or Kyoto bus, it’s a 1-minute walk from the Kawaramachi-sanjo bus stop.