Honno-ji Temple, Former Honnoji Site & Nanbanji: Nobunaga Kyoto Guide
The current Honno-ji Temple is not where Oda Nobunaga died in 1582 — it was relocated and rebuilt in 1592. This guide covers all three connected locations so you can visit each one knowing exactly what to expect.
The Current Honno-ji Temple Is Not the 1582 Incident Site
If you are visiting Kyoto to see the place where Oda Nobunaga died in 1582, there is one thing worth knowing before you go: the current Honno-ji Temple is not the same location as the original incident site.
The current Honno-ji Temple, located near Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station, was relocated and rebuilt in 1592 — a decade after the famous 1582 incident. The original Honno-ji, where Nobunaga was attacked by Akechi Mitsuhide’s forces, stood near Horikawa-Shijo, some distance away. That former site can still be visited today. And nearby, a marker indicates the presumed location of the Nanbanji — a church from Nobunaga’s era that no longer stands.
This guide covers all three locations so you can understand each one clearly before you visit.
Three Locations — How They Relate
What You’ll Learn in This Guide
- The current Honno-ji Temple (near Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae) was rebuilt in 1592 and is not the exact 1582 incident site
- The former Honno-ji site, near Horikawa-Shijo, is where the 1582 incident actually took place
- At the current temple, visitors can see the main hall, a Nobunaga memorial, the Daihoden Museum, and receive Nobunaga-related goshuin
- The former site and Nanbanji marker are stone-marker stops — no large ruins or reconstructed buildings
- Visiting all three gives a clear picture of Nobunaga-era Kyoto history and geography
| Location | What It Is | What You Can See | Visit Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Honno-ji Temple | Rebuilt temple site (1592) | Main hall, Nobunaga memorial, museum, goshuin | High |
| Former Honno-ji Site | Incident-era site (1582) | Stone marker, site indication | Medium |
| Nanbanji Marker | Presumed Nanbanji site | Stone marker, display | Low–Medium |
Is Honno-ji Worth Visiting?
For travelers interested in Oda Nobunaga, the current Honno-ji Temple is one of the few places in Japan where you can feel genuinely close to his legacy. Among the three “great unifiers” of Japan, Nobunaga has fewer dedicated memorial sites than Toyotomi Hideyoshi or Tokugawa Ieyasu, which makes Honno-ji especially meaningful for those who want to connect with his history.
At the current temple, the Nobunaga memorial and the Daihoden Museum offer tangible connections to Nobunaga. Nobunaga-related goshuin can also be received here.
The former Honno-ji site and the Nanbanji marker are best suited for visitors who want to understand the real historical geography of 1582. Both are stone-marker stops: there are no large ruins, no reconstructed buildings, and no exhibits explaining the incident on site. Going in with this expectation will make the visit worthwhile. You can review the photos on this page and decide whether visiting in person is right for you.
Current Honno-ji (temple grounds only): about 20 minutes / With Daihoden Museum: add 20–30 minutes / Former Honno-ji site and Nanbanji marker: short visits each
Travelers with a strong interest in Oda Nobunaga / Visitors who want to see where the 1582 incident actually took place / Those collecting Nobunaga-related goshuin / History travelers exploring Sengoku-era Kyoto
Getting There
Current Honno-ji Temple
Address 522 Shimo-Honno-ji-mae-cho, Teramachi-dori Oike-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
Nearest station Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station (T12), Tozai Subway Line — just a short walk
Also accessible Approx. 5 min west on foot from Keihan Sanjo Station / Approx. 10 min north on foot from Hankyu Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station
Temple grounds Open 6:00–17:00, free admission
Daihoden Museum 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30) / Adults ¥700, Junior/Senior high ¥500, Elementary ¥300 / Closed year-end holidays and during exhibition changeovers (subject to change)
Shinkansen gateway Kyoto Station (Tokaido Shinkansen) — approx. 5 min by Tozai Subway Line to Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae (T12)
From Tokyo Approx. 2 hr 15 min by Nozomi Shinkansen to Kyoto Station
From Osaka Approx. 15 min by Shinkansen, or approx. 30 min by Hankyu/Keihan to central Kyoto
Recommended transport Subway (Tozai Line) for the current temple / City bus for the former site
On-site difficulty Current Honno-ji: easy to navigate / Former site and Nanbanji marker: easy to miss — use a map
The current Honno-ji is easy to reach from central Kyoto. Google Maps is reliable for navigation, and the approach passes through the Teramachi shopping arcade area. The former site and Nanbanji marker are in different parts of the neighborhood — pin each location before you go.
Former Honno-ji Site
Address Honno-ji-cho, Ogawa-dori Taco-yakushi, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
Access City bus to Horikawa-Takoyakushi stop is the closest. The Shijo-Nishinotoin stop is also walkable. Stone markers are located near Honno-ji Elementary School.
Note The markers are at street level and easy to miss. Check the location on a map before arriving.
Nanbanji Marker
Location North side of Takoyakushi-dori Muromachi nishi-iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto (in front of the Takika Corporation building)
Access Kyoto city bus to Shijo-Karasuma / Hankyu Karasuma Station (HK85) / Kyoto Municipal Subway Shijo Station (K09)
Note A small display in front of a commercial building — very easy to walk past. Pin the exact location in a map app before visiting.
Access Map for All Three Locations
The three locations are spread across central Kyoto. Using a map is strongly recommended, as the former site and Nanbanji marker are easy to miss if you are unfamiliar with the area.
Historical Background
The Honnoji Incident (1582)
On the morning of June 2, 1582, Oda Nobunaga was staying at Honno-ji Temple in Kyoto when his general, Akechi Mitsuhide, launched a sudden attack with a large force. Nobunaga, vastly outnumbered and with no route of escape, died in the incident — either by fire or by his own hand, according to different accounts. The temple itself burned down in the attack.
At the time of the incident, Honno-ji stood near present-day Horikawa-Shijo, not in its current location near Teramachi-Oike. The temple was relocated and rebuilt at its current site in 1592.
Nobunaga’s Son and the Second Tragedy
On the same day as the Honnoji Incident, Nobunaga’s eldest son and designated heir, Oda Nobutada, was at Nijo Palace (Nijo Goshinzo) in Kyoto. After learning of his father’s death, he engaged Akechi forces there and was also killed. The Nijo Palace site is a separate location from both Honno-ji sites.
The Nanbanji and Christian Culture in Nobunaga’s Kyoto
Nobunaga was famously open to foreign trade and Western culture, and his attitude toward Christianity was notably tolerant — especially compared to the rulers who came after him. He allowed Jesuit missionaries to preach, provided them with protection, and permitted the construction of churches in Kyoto. His reasons were partly political — Christianity served as a counterweight to the powerful Buddhist institutions he was trying to subdue — but his genuine curiosity about foreign culture and technology also played a role.
Under his patronage, the Jesuit missionary Gnecchi-Soldo Organtino and others established the Nanbanji — the Church of Santa Maria — in Kyoto, believed to have been completed around 1576. It became a center of Nanban (Southern Barbarian) culture and Christianity in the city, reportedly drawing considerable attention with its multi-story design.
After Nobunaga’s death, Toyotomi Hideyoshi reversed course, issuing edicts expelling missionaries and suppressing Christianity. The Nanbanji was subsequently destroyed. The current Nanbanji marker indicates the presumed location of this lost church.
What Remains Today
Current Honno-ji Temple
Relocated and rebuilt in 1592. An active Buddhist temple — not the original 1582 site.
The current Honno-ji Temple is an active Buddhist temple of the Hokke sect. The grounds are open for free, and the main features — the main hall, the Nobunaga memorial, and the Daihoden Museum — are accessible to visitors.
Current Honno-ji Temple — 360° Panorama
Main Hall
Central structure of the temple grounds, rebuilt in 1928
The current main hall was rebuilt in 1928. It serves as the central structure of the temple grounds.
Nobunaga Memorial
A memorial dedicated to Oda Nobunaga — the core Nobunaga-related highlight of the visit
A memorial dedicated to Oda Nobunaga stands within the temple grounds, reportedly established by Nobunaga’s third son, Oda Nobutaka, after the incident. It is located toward the back of the grounds — first-time visitors should take care not to miss it.
This is described as a memorial or mausoleum; it is not a grave in the conventional sense.
Daihoden Museum
Museum housing items related to Honno-ji Temple and Oda Nobunaga
The Daihoden Museum houses items related to Honno-ji Temple and Oda Nobunaga. For visitors with an interest in Nobunaga, it is worth the admission fee.
- Hours: 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30)
- Admission: Adults ¥700, Junior/Senior high ¥500, Elementary ¥300
- Closed: Year-end holidays and during exhibition changeovers
Exhibition content may vary. Check the official website before visiting.
Former Honno-ji Site
Where the original Honno-ji Temple stood in 1582. Stone marker only — no ruins or reconstructed buildings.
This is the area where the original Honno-ji Temple stood at the time of the 1582 incident, near Horikawa-Shijo in Nakagyo Ward. The vicinity of Honno-ji Elementary School is considered the central area of the former temple grounds.
What visitors can see today is primarily a stone marker and a site indication. There are no large ruins, no reconstructed buildings, and no exhibits about the incident on site. This is a place to confirm the historical geography with your own eyes.
Former Honno-ji Site — Surroundings Today, 360° Panorama
Nanbanji Marker
Marker indicating the presumed location of the Nanbanji (Church of Santa Maria). The church no longer exists.
A marker reading “This vicinity — Former Nanbanji Site” stands in front of a commercial building on Takoyakushi-dori in Nakagyo Ward. It indicates the presumed location of the Nanbanji church, which is believed to have stood in the nearby Ubayanagicho area.
The Nanbanji no longer exists. The marker is a small display and easy to miss without a map — checking the exact location before you go is strongly recommended. Once you find it, the connection to Nobunaga’s era and the history of Christianity in Kyoto becomes tangible in a way that no exhibit can quite replicate.
Visitor Tips for Each Location
At the Current Honno-ji Temple: Don’t Miss the Nobunaga Memorial
The Nobunaga memorial is located toward the back of the grounds. Visitors who only see the main hall and leave often miss it. Follow the grounds carefully and look for signage pointing toward the memorial.
Nobunaga-related goshuin are available at the temple office. For visitors collecting goshuin connected to the Sengoku period, Honno-ji is one of the rare dedicated stops for Nobunaga.
The Daihoden Museum charges admission, but for visitors with a genuine interest in Nobunaga, it is worth the entry fee. Exhibition content can change, so check the official website in advance.
Before Visiting the Former Honno-ji Site
The former site is a place to confirm historical geography — not a site with exhibits or preserved ruins. The former temple grounds are believed to have extended across the area now occupied by Honno-ji Elementary School and the surrounding blocks. Only stone markers remain. Knowing this before you arrive will make the visit feel purposeful rather than disappointing.
Before Visiting the Nanbanji Marker
The Nanbanji marker is a small display in front of a commercial building and is genuinely easy to overlook. Pin the exact location in a map app before you go. Once you find it, the visit itself takes only a few minutes.
Legends, Traditions, and Deeper Notes
The Writing of “Honno-ji”
The Nanbanji: A Lost Church in Nobunaga’s Kyoto
The Nanbanji is believed to have been built around 1576, making it one of the earliest Christian churches in Kyoto. It reportedly had a multi-story design that attracted considerable attention in the city. After Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s edicts targeting missionaries, the church was destroyed. The exact year differs across sources; the confirmed fact is that it was demolished following Hideyoshi’s suppression of Christianity.
Nobutada and the Nijo Palace Incident
On the same day as the Honnoji Incident, Nobunaga’s heir Oda Nobutada was at Nijo Palace and died fighting Akechi forces. The Nijo Palace site is a separate location in central Kyoto. A future guide will cover this in detail.
📜 Timeline of Key Events
| c. 1576 | Nanbanji (Church of Santa Maria) is believed to have been established by Jesuit missionaries in Kyoto, under Nobunaga’s patronage |
|---|---|
| June 2, 1582 | Honnoji Incident — Oda Nobunaga is killed at Honno-ji during Akechi Mitsuhide’s attack |
| 1582 | Honno-ji burns down during the incident |
| 1592 | Honno-ji is relocated and rebuilt at its current site (Teramachi-Oike) |
| c. 1587–1588 | Toyotomi Hideyoshi issues anti-Christian edicts; Nanbanji is subsequently destroyed |
| 1928 | Current main hall of Honno-ji is rebuilt |
🏯 Oda Nobutada and the Nijo Palace Site
On the same day as the Honnoji Incident, Nobunaga’s designated heir Oda Nobutada was staying at Myokaku-ji temple nearby. After learning of his father’s fate, Nobutada moved to Nijo Goshinzo (Nijo Palace), where he engaged Akechi forces and died. The Nijo Palace site is a separate location in central Kyoto. A future article will cover this in detail.
Suggested Walking Route
The current Honno-ji Temple closes at 17:00, but the stone markers at the former site and Nanbanji can be visited at any time.
Former Honno-ji Site → Nanbanji Marker → Current Honno-ji Temple
Starting with the two stone-marker stops helps you understand the historical geography before arriving at the rebuilt temple with its many sights. Ending at the current Honno-ji gives you the most to see at the close of the visit.
Current Honno-ji Temple → Former Honno-ji Site → Nanbanji Marker
Go to the current temple first while it is open. The stone markers at the former site and Nanbanji can be visited at any time, including after the temple closes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Guides
A future guide will cover the former Nijo Palace site (Nijo Goshinzo), where Nobunaga’s son Nobutada died on the same day as the Honnoji Incident. For a wider Nobunaga itinerary in Kyoto, the area around Kenkun Shrine and Daitoku-ji can be combined with these three locations on the same day.
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