Buddha In The Heart of The City: Five Great Tokyo Temples

Whether or not they actually hold Buddhist beliefs, many people enjoy making pilgrimages to temples to enjoy the classical Japanese scenery and the restful ambiance that these places offer. For people who would like to make temple excursions, this article will introduce five temples to visit in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Zōjōji

Zōjōji has a 600-year-old history as a Buddhist temple of the Pure Land sect. Closely connected to Ieyasu Tokugawa, who wielded power in the Edo Period, this temple is home to the graves of various shōgun (generals) and their wives, so it is highly recommended to those who are interested in the country's classical history. With an atmosphere that evokes the era of the samurai, its traditional architecture and its scenic backdrop of Tokyo Tower, this quintessential Japanese place is very popular.

Reference article: At Zōjōji, Take A Memorial Snapshot Of Tokyo Tower And A Temple (Japanese)

Sensōji

With a history that is nearly a thousand years old, this metropolitan temple sees 30 million people come to pay homage each year. Always bustling with activity, visitors can enjoy a near-constant festival atmosphere. One of Japan's oldest shopping streets stretches all the way from the entrance gate of Sensouji Temple, marked by the famous red lantern that reads 雷門 (kaminarimon, meaning Thunder Gate), to the temple grounds. In addition, a large incense burner stands in front of the actual temple building. There is a legend that breathing in the incense smoke will heal the body.

Reference article: Have You Explored Every Inch of Sensouji Temple? A Comprehensive Route Guide (Japanese)

Jindaiji

As a temple of the Tendai sect located in Tokyo, the history of Jindaiji is only surpassed by Sensouji Temple. There are waterways and ponds throughout the grounds, and with the temple's bountiful natural scenery, it is used by many people in the city as an oasis. It is famous for its blessings, which grant protection from evil, prosperity in business, and success in love. Other fun activities we recommend at Jindaiji include making ceramics and sampling the famous Jindaiji soba, a noodle derived from buckwheat.

Reference article: Stroll around Jindaiji in Chofu: All-Season Beautiful Nature & Local Cuisine

Tsukijihonganji

Tsukijihonganji, A Temple With East-West Appeal Near Tsukiji Market

Tsukijihonganji is a temple of the Jodo Shinshu sect, right beside the Tsukiji Market. Its ancient Indian Buddhist architecture, with a palatial exterior, stained-glass windows and pipe organ, differs from other temples in Japan. Visitors to this temple can enjoy a mixture of cultural atmospheres. There is also a concert held at lunch time on the final Friday of each month, and attendees can listen to the pipe organ while they are surrounded by the scent of incense. At night, the main temple building is lit up, creating a mysterious ambiance.

Reference article: Tsukijihonganji, A Temple With East-West Appeal Near Tsukiji Market

Ikegami Honmonji

Ikegami Honmonji is a temple of the Nichiren school of Buddhism. There is a serene atmosphere around its main temple and its five-story pagoda, which has been designated as a national cultural asset. Every October, a temple service (known as o-eshiki) is held here to commemorate the death of Nichiren, the school's founder. On this occasion, up to three thousand people playing flutes and drums parade around the grounds while carrying rectangular mantou lanterns adorned with cherry blossoms. With food carts set up in the area, it is quite a busy day.

Reference article: A Trip To Ikegami Honmonji, A Verdant Temple With A Spectacular Five-Story Pagoda (Japanese)

Information

Zōjōji

Address: 4 Chome-7-35 Shibakōen, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Hours: The actual shrine is open to visitors at all hours. (Temple office: 9:00am to 5:00pm)
Closed: None
Wi-Fi: No
Credit Cards: N/A
Languages: English pamphlets available, and
omikuji have English translations written on the back
Station: Onarimon Station (御成門駅) on the Toei Subway Sanda Line
Access: 10 minutes' walk from Hamamatsucho Station (JR Tokyo Monorail), three minutes' walk from Onarimon Station (Toei Subway Sanda Line), three minutes' walk from Shiba Park, five minutes' walk from Daimon Station (Toei Subway Asakusa Line or Oedo Line) seven minutes' walk from Akabanebashi Station (Toei Subway Oedo Line), 10 minutes' walk from Kamiya Station (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line).
Price Range: N/A
Religion: Buddhist
Phone Number: +81-3-3432-1431
Official Website: Zōjōji

Sensōji

Address: 2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: The actual shrine is open to visitors at all hours. (Temple buildings: 6:00am to 5:00pm - from October to March, 6:30am to 5:00pm)
Closed: None
Wi-Fi: No
Credit Cards: N/A
Languages: English, Chinese, and Korean translators available via phone (in the shopping street)
Station: Asakusa Station (浅草駅) on various lines
Access:
Price Range: N/A
Religion: Buddhist
Phone Number: +81-3-3842-0181
Official Website: Sensōji

Jindaiji

Address: 5 Chome-15-1 Jindaiji Motomachi, Chofu-shi, Tokyo
Hours: 9am to 5pm
Closed: None
Wi-Fi: Jindai Free Wi-Fi
Credit Cards: N/A
Languages: English-speaking volunteer guides
Station: Tsutsujikaoka Station (つつじヶ丘駅) or Chōfu Station (調布駅) of the Keio Subway Keio Line
Access: 15 minutes' bus ride from Tsutsujikaoka or Chōfu Station, and a two-minute walk from the Jindaiji bus stop. 
30 minutes' bus ride from Mitaka or Kichijoji Station on the JR Chuo Line, then a three-minute walk from the bus stop.
Access:
Price Range: N/A
Religion: Buddhist
Phone Number: +81-42-486-5511
Official Website: Jindaiji

Tsukijihonganji

Address: 3 Chome-15-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 6:00am to 5:30pm (April to September), 6:00am to 5:00pm (October to March)
Closed: None
Wi-Fi: 
None
Credit Cards: N/A
Languages: English, Chinese and Korean pamphlets available. Buddhist service held in English on the last Saturday of every month, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.
Station: Tsukiji Station (築地駅) of the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, Tsukiji-ichiba Station (築地市場駅) of the Toei Subway Oedo Line
Access: One-minute walk from Tsukiji Station, five minutes' walk from the A1 exit of Tsukiji-ichiba Station.
Price Range: Free
Religion: Buddhist
Phone Number: +81-3-3541-1131
Official Website: Tsukijihonganji

Ikegami Honmonji

Address: 1 Chome-1-1 Ikegami, Ota-ku, Tokyo
Hours: The actual shrine is open to visitors at all hours.
Closed: None
Wi-Fi: 
None
Credit Cards: N/A
Languages: None
Station: Ikegami Station (池上駅) of the Tokyo Kyuko Ikegami Line, Nishimagome Station (西馬込駅) of the Toei Asakusa Line, Omori Station (尾盛駅) of the JR Keihin Tohoku Line
Access: 10 minutes' walk from Ikegami Station, 12 minutes' walk from Nishimagome Station. From Omori Station, take a bus bound for Ikegami Station and get off at Honmonji-mae. Ikegamihonmonji is a five-minute walk from the bus stop.
Price Range: Visiting the shrine is free. Admission to the sanctuary is 300 yen.
Religion: Buddhist
Phone Number: +81-3-3752-2331
Official Website: Ikegami Honmonji