Daien-Ji (Daien Temple)

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  • Address
    1-8-5 Shimo-Meguro, Meguro-ku
  • Phone
    3491 2793
  • Transport
    underground rail: JR Yamanote Line or subway Namboku or Mita Line to Meguro (west exit)/JR Yamanote Line orNamboku or Mita Line to Meguro (west exit)

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Established sometime around 1615, this small, photogenic temple hemmed in by trees commemorates stillborn and miscarried children as well as aborted fetuses. In the rear of the temple precinct is a separate tribute to the 14,700 people who died in the fire of 1772, which in addition to flattening most of the wooden houses in surrounding Meguro, burned the original temple structure to the ground.

As you enter, you'll see red-bonneted jizō figures (small stone statues of the Buddhist protector of travellers and children. Further into the temple precinct and completely lining one of its walls are Arhat (atonement) statues of the Gohyakurakan (the 500 followers of Buddha). Each of these exquisite stone markers, made to appease the souls that departed in the great fire, has its own design and facial expression. Water is often placed in front of the statues to ease the degree of the victims' suffering.