Zojoji temple (Tokyo) A huge hall and Tokyo Tower

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Zojoji

TEL :03-3432-1431
Address :4 Chome-7-35 Shibakoen, Minato City, Tokyo
Access :JR Yamanote Line / Tokyo Monorail Hamamatsucho Station > 10 minutes walk

Introduction to Zojoji temple

Zojoji Temple was founded in 1393 and is the head temple of the Jodo sect of Buddhism. It is the family temple of the Tokugawa Shogunate, and the graves of six Shoguns can be found within the temple grounds.

The main hall is one of the largest in Tokyo. Tokyo Tower stands in the background.

You can enter the main hall freely. The principal image of the temple, the Amitabha, is enshrined in the center of the hall.

Next to the main hall stands the Ankokuden Hall. The Buddha statue worshipped by the first shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu, is enshrined here. This Buddha statue is open to the public on the 15th of January, May, and September.

The hall also sells amulets and souvenirs.

The graves of the Tokugawa Shoguns

Behind the main hall are the graves of the Tokugawa Shoguns. A total of 15 shoguns ruled the country, and six of them are buried here.

These graves were originally very magnificent mausoleums, but were destroyed during the war.

In the exhibition room located in the basement of the main hall, you can see an elaborate replica of the mausoleum of the second shogun, Hidetada.

Other highlights

It is said that the sound of the big bell at Zojoji Temple once echoed throughout Tokyo.

On the northeast side of the temple grounds, there are a row of approximately 1,300 Ksitigarbha statues. These were erected to pray for the growth of children and for the spirits of miscarried children.

There is also a cafe on the grounds. The menu included coffee, Japanese tea, cakes, Japanese sweets, alcohol, and more.

Special occasions and events

Zojoji Temple holds a variety of ceremonies, memorial services, events and festivals throughout the year.

Every Sunday from 9am, a Buddhist monk gives a sermon in the main hall (mostly in Japanese).

Every year on February 15th, the Great Nirvana Painting, which depicts the scene of Buddha’s death, is displayed. Cats are not usually depicted in Nirvana paintings, but this painting has a cat at the bottom.

Cherry blossoms bloom from late March to early April.

Every year in early April, a memorial service is held to commemorate the death of the founder of the sect, Honen. The photo below shows a traditional dance offering.

In December, there is a cleaning ceremony to wipe off the dust from the Buddha statues. This is a rare opportunity for anyone to get up close to the principal image.

The sutra repository is sometimes open to the public for special viewing. In the center is a large octagonal rotating shelf for sutras. If you turn this, you will receive the same merit as chanting many sutras.

The upper level of the largest gate has also been opened to the public in the past. Repair work is underway until June 2032, but I would like to climb it again once it is completed.