Honnō-ji Temple
Religious Site Historic Kyoto temple notable for Nobunaga's 1582 incident
A Kyoto temple known for the 1582 Honno-ji Incident where Oda Nobunaga died; visitors see the rebuilt temple, memorials and nearby streets that lead toward the Higashiyama district.
Honn4d-ji Temple is a Buddhist temple in central Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, known primarily as the site of the 1582 Honn4d-ji Incident involving the warlord Oda Nobunaga. The temple precinct is compact and visited for its historical association and its rebuilt temple structures.
A small temple complex contains a reconstructed main hall, stone markers and memorials that mark the location linked to the 1582 event. The site is modest in scale compared with Kyoto’s larger temple complexes and is often visited in combination with nearby central Kyoto attractions.
The temple is historically notable because the Honn4d-ji Incident of 1582 occurred on this site when Oda Nobunaga was attacked by Akechi Mitsuhide; the temple was destroyed at that time and has been rebuilt and altered over subsequent centuries. Modern structures on the site are reconstructions and memorials rather than the original buildings.
The temple sits in central Kyoto and is easily reached from the city center by public transport or on foot from nearby central districts. It is located within Kyoto Prefecture and is frequently visited during walking tours of the city’s historic core.
- Honn4d-ji Incident: Site of the 1582 Honn4d-ji Incident linked to Oda Nobunaga; a small stone marker and memorials note the event.
- Best time to visit: Arrive early in the morning to avoid crowds and to see the precinct quietly before tour groups appear.
How to Get to Honnō-ji Temple #
Honnō-ji is in central Kyoto and is reachable on foot from Kyoto Station (approximately 20-30 minutes) or by local bus and taxi services; check local maps for the most convenient route depending on starting point.
Tips for Visiting Honnō-ji Temple #
- Honnō-ji is historically sensitive - visitors often come to see the site associated with the 1582 betrayal of Oda Nobunaga - so read up on the history before visiting to appreciate the commemorative markers.
- The temple precinct is compact; combine with a walk through nearby streets to feel the old-Japan layers in Kyoto.
Best Time to Visit Honnō-ji Temple #
Spring and autumn are most atmospheric for Kyoto's temples, including Honnō-ji and its commemorative sites; expect crowds during peak bloom and foliage.
Weather & Climate near Honnō-ji Temple #
Honnō-ji Temple's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1639 mm/year), wettest in June.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (145 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. Significant rainfall (153 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (240 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Heavy rain (228 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is the hottest month, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (156 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Heavy rain (202 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Significant rainfall (119 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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