# Shōren-in, Japan: what it is and when to go

> Shōren-in is a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan (青蓮院). Interests: History and Temples. The best time to visit is February to May and October to November. In June there are 14 h 20 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 39. It has articles in 8 Wikipedias, so it is not one of the busiest places in Japan: one to enjoy at a calmer pace. Here is what it is, where it lies, when to come, how to get there and what else is nearby to turn it into a trip.

- Address: https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/shoren-in/
- Reviewed on: 2026-10-02
- Language: en

## In a nutshell

- **What it is:** Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan · History, Temples
- **Local name:** 青蓮院
- **Where:** Japan
- **Best time:** February to May and October to November.
- **Nearest airport:** KIX Osaka, 81 km as the crow flies
- **Opening hours:** Mo-Su 09:00-17:00
- **Website:** [shorenin.com](https://www.shorenin.com/)
- **Protection:** Protected heritage
- **Coordinates:** 35.00748, 135.78337

## What it is and where

Shōren-in is a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan (青蓮院). It has articles in 8 Wikipedias, so it is not one of the busiest places in Japan: one to enjoy at a calmer pace.

It is in [Kyoto](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/kioto/), where this site lists 205 more places to see, 4.2 km from the centre.

Its coordinates are 35.00748, 135.78337; the nearest main airport is Kansai International Airport (KIX, Osaka), 81 km as the crow flies. How to get around Japan (train, car, bus) is covered in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/#moverse).

- [Where it is](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=35.007483%2C135.783371)
- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=35.007483%2C135.783371)

- **Protection:** Protected heritage

It is one of the [History](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/historia/) and [Temples](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/espiritual/) places in Japan. In [Kokai](https://kokai.app/en/) it is already on your trip map next to the places you save yourself, and it goes into a day's plan with one tap.

## When to go

The best time to visit Shōren-in is **February to May and October to November**.

| Mes | Época | Hours of daylight |
| --- | --- | --- |
| January | Possible | 9 h 53 |
| February | Best time | 10 h 44 |
| March | Best time | 11 h 44 |
| April | Best time | 12 h 53 |
| May | Best time | 13 h 50 |
| June | Possible | 14 h 20 |
| July | Possible | 14 h 08 |
| August | Possible | 13 h 19 |
| September | Possible | 12 h 12 |
| October | Best time | 11 h 06 |
| November | Best time | 10 h 07 |
| December | Possible | 9 h 39 |

In June there are 14 h 20 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 39. Daylight hours are calculated from the site's latitude for the 15th of each month; when planning a full day on foot they matter as much as the weather.

| What you come for | Best time | Possible |
| --- | --- | --- |
| History | February to May and October to November | December to January and June to September |
| Temples | February to May and October to November | December to January and June to September |

It is not the same trip whatever you come for: Shōren-in has a different season depending on what you want to do here, and [Kokai](https://kokai.app/en/) puts it in the right month for you.

When to go to Japan in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/#cuando-ir).

## Before you go to Japan

To enter Japan there are 10 things to sort out before you leave, starting with “A valid passport covering your whole stay”: they are all, with their deadlines, in [the Japan checklist](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/#antes-de-salir). Currency: Japanese yen (JPY); plugs: Type A and B · 100 V · 50/60 Hz (you need an adapter); emergencies: 110 police · 119 ambulance and fire.

In [Kokai](https://kokai.app/en/) you tick off the checklist inside your trip, and each item reminds you when it is time to do it.

## What is nearby

- [Chion-in](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/chion-in/): Buddhist temple in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan · 219 m
- [Koto Inn](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/koto-inn/): History · 334 m
- [KYOTO TRAIL HIGASHIYAMA 21:30-2](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/kyoto-trail-higashiyama-21-30-2/): Hiking · 466 m
- [National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/the-national-museum-of-modern-art-kyoto/): Art museum in Japan · 557 m
- [Murin-an](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/murin-an/): Japanese garden villa owned by Japanese politician and military commander Yamagata Aritomo · 579 m

Distances are as the crow flies. Everything else is in [the Japan guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/).

## More in Japan: History

- [Mount Fuji](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/monte-fuji/): volcano in Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures, Japan
- [Kiyomizu-dera](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/kiyomizu-dera/): Buddhist temple in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
- [Himeji Castle](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/himeji-2/): Japanese castle complex
- [Hiroshima Peace Memorial](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/cupula-de-genbaku/): architectural structure
- [Itsukushima Shrine](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/santuario-itsukushima/): Shinto shrine in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan
- [Kinkaku-ji](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/kinkaku-ji/): Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan

Every Japan place under History, each with its season, is on [its page](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/historia/).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is Shōren-in?

It is a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan (青蓮院 in the local language). It has articles in 8 Wikipedias, so it is not one of the busiest places in Japan: one to enjoy at a calmer pace.

### When is the best time to visit Shōren-in?

February to May and October to November. In June there are 14 h 20 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 39.

### How do you get to Shōren-in?

The nearest main airport is Kansai International Airport (KIX), 81 km as the crow flies. From there, [directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=35.007483%2C135.783371) opens the route on the map, and how to get around Japan is explained in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/#moverse).

### How do I add it to my trip?

With one tap. In Kokai it is already on the Japan map, next to the places you save yourself: add it to a day's plan, give it a time and, if you like, get a reminder when you pass nearby.

### What else is around here?

Nearby you have [Chion-in](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/chion-in/), [Koto Inn](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/koto-inn/), [KYOTO TRAIL HIGASHIYAMA 21:30-2](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/kyoto-trail-higashiyama-21-30-2/). The rest is in [the Japan guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/).

Data from [OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/456124860), licensed under the ODbL, and from [Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q377386), CC0. More about Shōren-in on [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sh%C5%8Dren-in). Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in [credits](https://kokai.app/en/aviso/#creditos).

