Zojo-ji Temple in Tokyo

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Facts & Figures

Zojo-ji Temple in Tokyo is the Great Main Temple of the Jodo-Buddist sect. The Buddhist temple near Tokyo Tower and Roppongi is a picturesque place to enjoy the cherry blossom season. Experience the Ultimate Japanese Hospitality at a Tokyo Ryokan.
 Find Your Perfect Ryokan Now > The huge wooden main gate (Sangedatsumon) is an impressive sight with a height of 21 meters, 28.7 meters in width and 17.6 meters in depth.

• Zojo-ji Temple
• Opening Hours - always open (whole day)
• Admission Fee - free

My tips for local activities

How about exploring the fascinating city Tokyo with a local guide? The personalized tour by our partner GetYourGuide can take between 5 - 6 hours. For more details check out this page >

History

In 1393 (Muromachi period) Zojo-ji Temple was founded. Later in 1598 Tokugawa Ieyasu decided to relocated the temple from Hibiya (located in Chiyoda district, Tokyo) to its present location. The powerful Tokugawa clan ruled Japan for more than 250 years and Zojo-ji was their family temple. During World War 2 the whole area was completely destroyed, but later most of the structures were rebuilt.

Sightseeing spots

Top:

Sangedatsumon - Main Gate of the Zojoji Temple (Sanmon) was built in 1605, it was the only structure which survived the 1945 air raids

Daiden (Main Hall) - rebuilt in 1974, contains an beautiful decorated golden alter

Tokugawa Graves - 6 of the 15 shoguns are buried in the Mausoleum of the Tokugawa family

Daibonsho (Big Bell) - the huge bell's (15 tons) height is 3.33 meteres and the diameter 1.76 meters

Unborn Children Garden - part of the cemetery displays rows of stone statues of children, these are protector of the souls of stillborn children

Festival & Events (dates can change without notice)

February

Setsubun Festival (3rd)
The Bean-Throwing Festival is a yearly ritual where people throw soybeans while shouting out loud “Demons out, Luck in,” (Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!) to wish for happiness. These spiritual spring cleaning sessions can be enjoyed at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples everywhere in Tokyo.

July

Zojoji Bon-Odori Matsuri (25th and 26th)
A nice Bon Odori dance festival is held at the Zojoji Temple. Visitors wearing colorful yukatas (summer kimonos) and are allowed to join the professional dancers. The purpose of the celebration is to show gratefulness toward one’s ancestors.