Temple sights in Tokyo
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
A
Sengaku-ji
Follow the steps up to find the tombs of the famous 47 rōnin – soldiers without a samurai – who followed their master Ako to death after he pulled a sword on a rival.
reviewed
-
B
Daien-Ji (Daien Temple)
Established sometime around 1615, this small, photogenic temple hemmed in by trees commemorates stillborn and miscarried children, as well as aborted foetuses. Located 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 come across some 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 Go-hyaku-rakan (th…
reviewed
-
C
Zōjō-Ji (Zōjō Temple)
Behind Tokyo Tower is this former funerary temple of the Tokugawa regime, one of the most important temples of the Jōdō (Pure Land) sect of Buddhism. It dates from 1393, yet like many sights in Tokyo its original structures have been relocated and were subject to war, fire and other natural disasters. It has been rebuilt several times in recent history, the last time in 1974. Nevertheless, Zōjō-ji remains one of the most monumental temples in town. The main gate, Sanmon, was constructed in 1605, and its three sections were designed to symbolise the three stages one must pass through to achieve nirvana. The giant bell (1673; 15 tonnes) is considered one of the great th…
reviewed
-
D
Fukagawa Fudō-Dō (Fukugawa Fudō Temple)
The history of this giant temple dates from 1703 as a sub-temple of Shinshō-ji in the city of Narita, one of the head temples of Shingon Buddhism. The main image, which is housed in a recently constructed inner hall, is Fudōmyō – a venerable Buddha depicted in murals by Nakajima Chinami (2004). On the 2nd floor is a gallery depicting all 88 temples of the 1400km pilgrimage route on the island of Shikoku; it is said that offering a prayer at each alcove has the same effect as visiting each temple. One of the best times to visit is around 3pm, when priests read sutras in a thunder of taiko drums and fire.
reviewed
-
Buddhist Temple
To escape the tourist crowds, take time out amid the gleaming gold-leaf columns and screen paintings of this little visited Buddhist temple, headquarters of some 300 temples of the Higashi Hongan-ji sect of Jōdō (Pure Land) Buddhism. The present building dates from 1939 and was the first concrete temple in Japan – a great advantage against Tokyo’s fires. It enshrines the Amida Buddha, and its roof was depicted in one of Hokusai’s ‘36 Views of Mt Fuji’.
reviewed
-
E
Sensō-ji
This temple enshrines a golden image of Kannon (the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy), which, according to legend, was miraculously pulled out of the nearby Sumida-gawa by two fishermen in AD 628. The image has remained on the spot ever since; the present structure dates from 1950.
When approaching Sensō-ji from Asakusa subway station, the entrance is via Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate). The gate's protector gods are Fūjin, the god of wind, on the right; and Raijin, the god of thunder, on the left.
Straight ahead is Nakamise-dōri, the temple precinct's shopping street, where everything from tourist trinkets to genuine Edo-style crafts is sold. Need a formal wig to wear with your kim…
reviewed
