Houkyoji Temple

Houkyoji Temple（宝鏡寺） is also known as “Ningyo Temple,” with a mound of dolls on the temple grounds and numerous dolls decorating the interior.Ningyo is a doll.

Normally closed to the public, it is open to the public in spring and fall for doll exhibitions. Photography is not permitted inside the rooms or in the garden. A doll exhibit is set up where visitors can take img-responsiveures. A doll memorial service is held every year on October 14.

Houkyoji Temple is a Independent temple of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism, where the 14th Shogun Tokugawa Iemochi’s wife, Wamiya, spent her childhood.

From Houkyoji Temple, it is approximately a 3-minute walk to Honpouji Temple, a 5-minute walk to Myokakuji Temple, and a 7-minute walk to Shiramine Shrine. Access to Houkyoji Temple from Kyoto Station is by bus, which takes about 27 minutes.