Honrenji Temple is a Nichiren Buddhist Temple founded in 1620 by Monk Nichie of Honkyoji Temple. Originally in this spot was Japan's first hospital for leprosy, the San Lazaro Hospital, and the San João Baptista Church. Honrenji Temple was named one of the top three temples in Nagasaki alongside Daionji Temple and Kotaiji Temple due to its vast territory. It is also known as the temple where Katsu Kaishu lived when he learned navigation techniques and artillery as a student of the Nagasaki Naval Training Institute.

The temple was a focal point of history and culture in Nagasaki, but it burned away from the atomic bombing. Right after the atomic bomb was dropped, only the roof tile of the main hall had blown away due to the blast, but in due time the chief priest's dwelling and the temple gate burned up. White smoke was coming from the main hall before the gate was burned, but once the flames emerged, their momentum was fierce. Not a single treasure being preserved in the warehouse behind the main hall remained as a result of the fire.

The Taiwanese photinia at Honrenji Temple also continually burned for three days. It was thought that it would not sprout again, but it did. It is believed that after the top parts of the tree burned away, several stems sprang from the remaining roots and the tree grew to what it is today. The growing conditions of the tree are good, and its stems are covered in leaves. Honrenji Temple takes good care of this tree.