Nishi Honganji

Nishi Honganji (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.

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 it's power.

Nishi Hongangi is located on Horikawa St. west of Higashi Honganji temple. It is older than the latter and has more integral architecture.