| Nishi Hongan-ji 西本願寺 | |
|---|---|
 Amidadō and Goeidō (National Treasures) | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Jōdo Shinshū Honganji-ha |
| Deity | Amida Nyorai (Amitābha) |
| Status | Head temple |
| Location | |
| Location | 60 Monzen-machi, Horikawa-dōri Hanaya-chō Kudaru, Shimogyō-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture |
| Country | Japan |
| Geographic coordinates | 34°59′31.37″N 135°45′5.8″E / 34.9920472°N 135.751611°E |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | Honganji Kennyo |
| Completed | 1591 |
| Website | |
| http://www.hongwanji.or.jp/english/ | |
Nishi Hongan-ji (西本願寺) is a Jōdo Shinshū Buddhist temple in the Shimogyō ward of Kyoto, Japan. It serves as the head temple of the sub-sect Honganji-ha.
It is one of two Jōdo Shinshū temple complexes in Kyoto, the other being Higashi Hongan-ji, which is the head temple of the sub-sect Ōtani-ha.
Established in its current location in 1591, the origin of the temple goes back to the 14th century. Many of its building have survived from the Azuchi-Momoyama and early Edo period, making it a great example of the Japanese architecture from the 17th and 18th centuries. A total of seven Nishi Hongan-ji structures have been designated National Treasures in three different categories: the karamon, Goei-dō and Amida hall (temple buildings), the Flying Cloud Pavilion, shoin and the Black study hall, including the Denrō gallery (residences) and the north Noh stage (miscellaneous structure).
Nishi Hongan-ji was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, as part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.