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.
Published
Updated
Reader Supported
Old Photos of Japan aims to be your personal museum for Japan's visual heritage and to bring the experiences of everyday life in old Japan to you.
To enhance our understanding of Japanese culture and society I track down, acquire, archive, and research images of everyday life, and give them context.
I share what I have found for free on this site, without ads or selling your data.
Your support helps me to continue doing so, and ensures that this exceptional visual heritage will not be lost and forgotten.
Thank you,
Kjeld Duits
Reference for Citations
Duits, Kjeld (). Kyoto 1890s: San-mon Gate at Chionin, OLD PHOTOS of JAPAN. Retrieved on April 22, 2026 (GMT) from https://www.oldphotosjapan.com/photos/50/san-mon-gate-at-chionin
There are currently no comments on this article.