Zojoji Temple, Tokyo

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Zojoji Temple is a Buddhist Temple in the Shiba neighborhood of Minato in Tokyo. It is also the Great Main Temple of the Jodo Shu sect founded by Yuyo Shoso. Originally, the temple was called Komyo-ji and was located in Kaizuka, which is present-day Kojimachi in Chiyoda, Tokyo.

During the Edo period, Zojoji Temple served as the family temple of the Tokugawa Family. The Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu had the temple moved from Kaizuka, first to Hibiya, and finally to Shiba, in 1590, where it stood to this day. Within the grounds of Zojoji Temple are the graves of six out of the 15 Tokugawa shoguns. The graves of Hidetada, the monument to his wife Sugenin, the graves of the shoguns Ienobu and Ietsugu were all national treasures of Japan. Unfortunately they were destroyed during World War II.

Within the compound of Zojoji Temple are Jizo statues. Jizo, or Ksitigarbha, is a bodhisattva reverred in East Asian Buddhism. In Japan, he is regarded as the guardian of children, especially children who died before their parents. Since the 1980's, he is also worshipped as the guardians of mizuko, or stillborn children. Statues of Jizo are often attired with children's clothes. These are placed by grieving parents for their lost little ones, with the hope that Jizo will offer them protection in their journey through the underworld.

Zojoji Temple Tourist Information

Zojoji Temple
Jodo Shu Main Temple
4-7-35 Shibakoen Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0011 Japan
Tel: (81)3-3432-1431
Official Website: http://www.zojoji.or.jp/en/index.html

Getting there

Zojoji Temple is served by the Shiba-koen Station (I05) of the Toei Mita Line.
For full details about taking the subway, go to Tokyo Metro. You can also download the Tokyo Subway Route Map here.