Temple · Yamashina
Bishamondo-Monzeki
毘沙門堂
Bishamondo-Monzeki is a Tendai monzeki temple at 18 Anshuinariyamacho in Yamashina Ward, Kyoto. Its official history says it was founded in 703 by order of Emperor Monmu, with Bishamonten as its principal image, and rebuilt on the present Yamashina site in 1665. Buildings moved from the Imperial Palace in 1693 survive as the Shinden and Reiden. The grounds hold the early Edo-period Bansuien circuit-style garden, with Tortoise Island, Plover Stone and Meditation Stone in its pond, and 116 sliding-screen paintings in the Shinden painted in reverse perspective.
Good to know before you go
- notice.topic.q_who:bishamondo
- Bishamondo: the City of Kyoto's official 2026 New Year's Eve bell list does not say who may take part, or whether foreign visitors and non-worshippers can ring the bell. ↗
- notice.topic.q_ticket:bishamondo
- Bishamondo: the City of Kyoto's official 2026 New Year's Eve bell list does not say whether numbered tickets or advance booking are needed. ↗
- notice.topic.q_cost:bishamondo
- Bishamondo: the City of Kyoto's official 2026 New Year's Eve bell list does not say whether ringing the bell or visiting costs anything. ↗
- notice.topic.q_all_night:bishamondo
- Bishamondo's bell follows the service in the main hall and runs from 23:45 to 01:30; it is not an all-night opening. ↗
- notice.topic.q_access:bishamondo
- Bishamondo: the City of Kyoto's official 2026 New Year's Eve bell list says nothing about transport to the temple on New Year's Eve. ↗
- notice.topic.q_rules:bishamondo
- There is no limit on visitor numbers for Bishamondo's bell. ↗
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