View on the San-mon main gate and a stone bridge at Chionin buddhist temple in the Higashiyama district in Kyoto.
Chionin is one of the largest temple complexes in Japan and an important religious headquarters. It is the head temple of the Jodo Sect which was initiated by Honen Jonin of Yoshimizu Zenbo (temple of the Zen sect).
The gate of Chionin was built by Tokugawa Hidetada. Construction was started in 1619 and completed two years later.
The San-mon gate still stands and has been designated a Japanese National Treasure. At 24 meters (79 feet) tall, it is Japan’s largest temple gate.
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Kjeld Duits
Reference for Citations
Duits, Kjeld (). Kyoto 1890s: San-mon Gate at Chionin, OLD PHOTOS of JAPAN. Retrieved on June 24, 2026 (GMT) from https://www.oldphotosjapan.com/photos/50/san-mon-gate-at-chionin
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