Zojoji Temple, Tokyo

Zojoji Temple, Tokyo

The Zojoji temple in Tokyo is one of seven temples affiliated with the Jodo Shu, one of the major Buddhist sects in Japan. It has a historical connection as the ancestral temple of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

The foundation of Zojoji can be traced back to Saint Shuyo Shoso, the founder of the Jodo Shu sect. Situated in the Shiba neighborhood of Minato, Tokyo, the temple's current location was established by the first Tokugawa Shogun, Ieyasu. Notably, six out of the fifteen Tokugawa Shoguns are interred here, and there are dedicated monuments to the second Shogun, Hidetada, and his wife, Sugenin. Zojoji endured destruction during World War II bombings but has since been reconstructed and continues to hold significant importance for the Jodo Shu sect, serving as a training center for Buddhist clergy and novice monks.

Inside Zojoji temple, one can find statues of Jizo, a Bodhisattva venerated by East Asian Buddhists. In Japan, Jizo is revered as a protector of children, particularly those who have passed away before their parents, including stillborn infants. Grieving parents place Jizo figures dressed in children's attire with the hope that the Bodhisattva will guide their departed children through the afterlife. Additionally, the temple houses a shrine dedicated to the Amida or Amitabha Buddha, a large bell, a lecture hall, a seminary, and a mausoleum honoring the Tokugawa Shoguns.

Why You Should Visit:
One of the best surviving temples from Imperial Japan!
To see Tokyo Tower in the background with a tranquil temple in the center is a great juxtaposition of 'old' and 'new' Tokyo.
Entrance to the temple is free; entrance to the Mausoleum & Museum is reasonably priced.

Tip:
The best time to visit the temple is just after the sun goes down, especially on the Summer or Winter Solstice (after dusk the washi candles are more prominent and are a sight to behold).
On New Year’s Eve, you can participate in Joya no Kane – "Bells of the New Years Eve", an ancient Buddhist tradition where the temple bells are rung 108 times, each ring a symbolical ringing out of an earthly desire, so you start the new year with a clean mind. 107 rings in the old year, and the last one after midnight. It is a ticketed event and tickets go fast.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Tokyo. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Zojoji Temple on Map

1
30 m
100 ft
Leaflet © OpenStreetMap contributors
Sight Name: Zojoji Temple
Sight Location: Tokyo, Japan (See walking tours in Tokyo)
Sight Type: Religious

Walking Tours in Tokyo, Japan

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