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.
Honnō-ji Temple at a Glance#
Address: Honnō-ji Temple area, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
About Honnō-ji Temple#
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 1° - 8° | 3° | 71 mm | overcast | 85% | 2.2 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.9h |
| February | Poor | 1° - 9° | 3° | 77 mm | overcast | 83% | 2.1 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.8h |
| March | Poor | 3° - 13° | 7° | 112 mm | overcast | 81% | 2.3 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Acceptable | 9° - 19° | 14° | 145 mm | overcast | 79% | 2.5 m/s | 1.1 high | 13.0h |
| May | Good | 13° - 24° | 19° | 153 mm | overcast | 80% | 2.8 m/s | 1.4 high | 13.9h |
| June | Good | 18° - 27° | 22° | 240 mm | overcast | 84% | 2.2 m/s | 1.5 high | 14.4h |
| July | Acceptable | 23° - 31° | 27° | 228 mm | overcast | 86% | 2.1 m/s | 1.6 very high | 14.1h |
| August | Good | 23° - 32° | 32° | 156 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 2.1 m/s | 1.7 very high | 13.3h |
| September | Good | 19° - 28° | 24° | 202 mm | overcast | 84% | 2.1 m/s | 1.3 high | 12.3h |
| October | Good | 13° - 22° | 17° | 119 mm | overcast | 84% | 2.0 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 11.2h |
| November | Good | 7° - 17° | 12° | 79 mm | overcast | 84% | 2.0 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.2h |
| December | Acceptable | 2° - 11° | 6° | 57 mm | overcast | 85% | 2.0 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.7h |
