Feb 2, 2014 - 1 min read

Tsukiji Honganji Temple

Indian-style Buddhist temple in the center of Tokyo

By Manish Prabhune

Community writer

Honganji Temple exterior. The temple was originally located in Asakusa, but was destroyed in a fire during the Edo period. The temple is just outside Tsukiji Station in Tokyo.

The present temple was reconstructed in 1934, post the Great Kanto Earthquake, and that's when it got its Indian-style architecture.

The temple on the inside is a wide hall with seating for visitors to sit and meditate. The aroma of the essence sticks burning permeates the temple's interior and it creates a religious ambience to pray.

Technology creeps inside the temple through self-service informative screens placed at various points inside the temple. You can get the information both in English and Japanese. Pamphlets and brochures at the entrance are also available in German, Chinese and Korean.

Another view of the meditation hall at Tsukiji Honganji. I sat there for around 15 minutes and shut my eyes. Bliss...

There are some posters on the temple walls tell the story of how the earthquake and the resulting fires razed the earlier temple to the ground. The mother temple is supposedly Nishi Honganji in Kyoto, and I would definitley like to visit that temple next time I'm in Kyoto.

Nice architecture

The interior has multiple grand chandeliers—really beautiful.

The lion statues outside the Tsukiji Honganji Temple

Walking back from the temple to the Kachidoki station, a side view of the temple

Next to the Tsukuji Fish Market, walking towards Ginza, there is a temple which I had seen many times, but had not gone inside to check it out. From the outside the Tsukiji Honganji Temple has an Indian feel; and indeed, according to the information I collected at the temple, the distinctly Hindu architecture designed by Chuta Ito was modeled based on ancient Indian architecture. Even on a weekday you can see many office goers stop by at the temple to pray or meditate. If you like architecture I definitely recommend a visit to this temple so rich in atmosphere.

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Manish Prabhune

By Manish Prabhune

Community writer

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Elizabeth S

Elizabeth S 5 years ago

A bit of trivia - there is a memorial in the main hall to the late X-Japan member, Hide. It's a place of pilgrimage for old rockers.

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