Hiun-kaku is one of the three most important pavilions of Kyoto, the other two being the Kinkaku-ji and the Ginkaku-ji, also known respectively as the Golden pavilion and the Silver pavilion. The Hiun-kaku was actually created as a mix of silver and gold pavilions. Yet, Hiun-kaku is not well known because its access is extremely limited and when allowed photos were fiercely prohibited. Recently however the temple policy changed and the Hiun-kaku has been in free access for a few months while photography was permitted! As a bonus, the stupid "hitachi" sponsor panels have been removed from the front of the pavilion. Great! The only thing that would be even more awesome would be to be able to visit the interior, but that's probably asking a little bit too much :-)
The Hiun-kaku is located on the grounds of the Nishi-Honganji temple. Access was easy for about 6 months in 2016-2017, and even included night-time openings. However this may have changed as I believe the generous openings were due to the Nishi-Honganji temple anniversary festivities.
Recommended for: Access: free Nearby: Higashi Hongan-ji 東本願寺 (620m), Watchigai-ya 輪違屋 (750m), the Kyōto Tower 京都タワー (770m), Kyōto Station 京都駅 (820m), the Sumiya 角屋 (860m), Rokunomiya-jinja 六孫王神社 (940m), Shōsei-en 渉成園 (970m), Kanchi-in 観智院 (1km), Tō-ji 東寺 (1.1km), Byōdō-ji 平等寺 (1.2km),... External links: Kyoto Navi, Satellite view, Map Keywords: Japan, 日本, Japon, Kyoto, 京都, 下京, 中京, 上京, 西本願寺, Nishi Honganji, temple, UNESCO world heritage, 寺院, 仏閣, 飛雲閣, Hiun-kaku Statistics: visited on 2 occasions, id 198, 5 photos. |
