Zojoji Temple

Zojoji Temple is a historic site that flourished as the Tokugawa family’s bodaiji (family temple). It is said that Ieyasu himself named its principal Amitabha statue the “Kurohonzon” (Black Buddha). Ieyasu’s funeral was held here, and the graves of six other shoguns are also located on the grounds. At its peak, more than 3,000 monks trained here at any time, with over 100 study halls lining the temple precincts. From the Meiji period onward, however, the temple faced hardships such as land confiscation, two major fires, and wartime air raids. Restoration was carried out over four years beginning in 1971, leading to the temple’s current form. The path from the Sangedatsumon Gate to the Main Hall represents the journey to the Pure Land: you proceed along a distance divided into 108 bays (matching the number of worldly desires) and climb 25 steps representing the 25 bodhisattvas, arriving at the hall that visually expresses the Pure Land. The Main Hall is also a popular photo spot because Tokyo Tower appears in the background. Access is convenient from Onarimon Station (Toei Mita Line) ~3 min walk, or Shibakoen Station (Toei Mita Line) ~3 min walk.