Zenkokuji Temple
Zenkokuji Temple
4
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Neighbourhood: Yotsuya / Iidabashi
Yotsuya and Iidabashi are areas that developed around the outer moat of the Imperial palace. Nearby in Kagurazaka, there is an old red-light district with a photogenic feel evocative of the ambiance of old Tokyo. Narrow paths with stone paving remain to this day, and there are long-standing restaurants with geishas and quaint old cafes in townhouse buildings.
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4.0
236 reviews
Excellent
63
Very good
98
Average
75
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Jerome G
Coppell, TX595 contributions
Jan 2020
No trip to Tokyo would be complete without a trip to a Buddist temple. This one will give you all the sights, sounds, smells and visuals you will need.
It is located in town and is easily accessible to subway stations.
The odd and maybe somewhat inappropriate aspect of the area is the commercial zone just outside the temple. It takes away from the solemnity found at other temples in Asia.
It is located in town and is easily accessible to subway stations.
The odd and maybe somewhat inappropriate aspect of the area is the commercial zone just outside the temple. It takes away from the solemnity found at other temples in Asia.
Written 30 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paisley
Charleston, SC562 contributions
Jan 2013 • Solo
I went to Shinjuku to see this Temple. I was just about to give up when I stumbled upon it. Sometimes I found it difficult to navigate-probably because it so busy and of all the "eye candy" the BIG Bright City Lights the Tokyo buildings were offering to a 1st time visitor. There were City Maps throught, but a lot of them did not have english words on them. There weren't a lot of city street signs neither & It was very cold Sunday (January)- wish I had worn gloves and a warmer coat. However, I am very happy to have stumbled upon it as there was about to be a Ceremony. I cleansed my hands at the water station (as requested) before entering. You may want to bring some Yen for an offering, or to have your prayers blessed, or for your fortune.
As I was leaving, there was what appeared to be a "flea market" setting up within it's grounds. It was a lot of old Japanese curios, rice paper paintings, coins, kimono's & other artifacts for sale. I ended up purchasing 3 different Authentic Kimono's from a really nice older Japanese couple- who offered me their gloves ! I took a picture with them =)
As I was leaving, there was what appeared to be a "flea market" setting up within it's grounds. It was a lot of old Japanese curios, rice paper paintings, coins, kimono's & other artifacts for sale. I ended up purchasing 3 different Authentic Kimono's from a really nice older Japanese couple- who offered me their gloves ! I took a picture with them =)
Written 6 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Japanophile2014
Sydney, Australia19 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
This is in a lovely traditional district in Tokyo near the Daemon Gate. The main temple is easy to access and what I loved about it were the Buddhist monks who sold the lucky charms in the shop attached to the temple.
Written 15 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jaideelion
Brisbane, Australia37 contributions
Sept 2019
Very impressive wooden designs and live prayer sessions. Observed quite a few groups come in and participate in ceremonies. You see at your leisure.
Written 19 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JOHN B
Lafayette, CA47 contributions
Oct 2019
Being in Tokyo itself with 37 million people living here, this place gets very crowded. But that what Tokyo is all about so we enjoyed our visit to this temple.
Written 23 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Geordie K
Cavite City, Philippines202 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
We visited the temple again and took a few pictures this time. It’s a quiet place to reflect if your heart desires.
Written 18 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AhuvafromWA
Washington302 contributions
Mar 2018 • Solo
I'm one for the temples -- and this is a particularly nice one. It's a good counter too to all the hustle and bustle of the Shinjuku district.
Written 26 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ida D
Mount Vernon, VA30 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
This temple is on the well-trodden tourist route in Tokyo and will give you exposure to Buddhism on a surface level. The main Shinto temple in Tokyo is far more spiritual and rustic.
Written 29 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffrey M
Rogue River, OR5 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
It's a nice piece of history and worth a trip. I actually enjoyed walking around the Asakusa neighborhood more than the temple itself. Maybe I'm not much of a temple person but had a good time with everything else the neighborhood has to offer.
Written 21 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dennis A. Amith
California369 contributions
Mar 2015 • Solo
Bishamonten Zenkokuji temple was built back in 1595 by the first shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. In 1792, it was relocated from Chiyoda-ku to it’s current area, along with nine stores before the gates and became the center of the town that eventually became Kagurazaka. During this time, during the Meiji period, samurai residences were demolished in order to make the area a commercial district.
Bishamonten, originally a Hindu god, was absorbed into Buddhism and evolved into a deity known to grant people’s wishes. He is one of the Four Heavenly Kings and the protector of the north. In Japan, Bishamonten is also one of the Seven Gods of Fortune.
Like many temples in Japan, the temple was rebuilt and restored as the original temple was destroyed during the air raids of World War II. But where other temples took decades to build, Zenkoku-ji was rebuilt six years after being destroyed.
Bishamonten, originally a Hindu god, was absorbed into Buddhism and evolved into a deity known to grant people’s wishes. He is one of the Four Heavenly Kings and the protector of the north. In Japan, Bishamonten is also one of the Seven Gods of Fortune.
Like many temples in Japan, the temple was rebuilt and restored as the original temple was destroyed during the air raids of World War II. But where other temples took decades to build, Zenkoku-ji was rebuilt six years after being destroyed.
Written 27 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kiki
Peachland, Canada
Does this attraction open on sunday's and at what time?
Written 26 February 2016
Is this free if you do not want a walking tour? Many thanks.
Written 28 October 2015
Hi! I was wondering, would there be any of the small shops around the temple after hours, like say 6pm? Also, can you enter through the gate at 6pm or later, or is everything shut?
Written 11 August 2015
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