Temple at base of Tokyo Tower – Zojoji
5 minutes’ walk from Hamamatsu-cho station and you will find one of the largest Buddhist temple Zojoji at the base of Tokyo Tower.
After the start of the Edo(present-day Tokyo) Period when the Tokugawa shogunate ruled Japan, Zojoji became the family temple of the Tokugawa family. At Zojoji Temple, as many as 3,000 priests and novices always resided as students. Zojoji serves as the main temple of Jodo shu and has endeared itself to the general public as both a grand Buddhist temple typical of the metropolis Tokyo and a hub of religious and cultural activities.
*Click photo to enlarge
Majestic gate named “Sangedatsumon” will welcome you as the front face of the temple. Once you pass under the gate, it is said that you can get delivered from three earthly states of mind – greed, anger and stupidity. The gate has been designated by the State as important cultural property.
Big Bell is tolled twice a day – six times each in the early morning and in the evening. It chimes the hours, and also serves to purify one hundred and eight earthly passions (bonno), which lead people astray, through an exhortation, repeated six times a day, to profound equanimity.
Zojoji(増上寺） Info
■ Location: Hamamatsucho
■ Admission free
■ Hours: 9:00～17:00
