Zojoji
東京都
Jodo-shu's head temple founded in 1393, designated by Ieyasu as his Edo castle's southwestern guardian — six shoguns are buried here and the 1622 Sangedatsumon triple gate survives as the largest wooden tower gate in eastern Japan
Founded
1393
Type
Temple
Visited
Want to go
Access
3 min walk from Toei Mita Line Shiba-koen Station
4-7-35 Shiba-koen, Minato
Open in Google Maps ↗
Overview
Head temple of Jodo sect. Family temple of the Tokugawa shoguns. Six shoguns are buried here. Famous for its view with Tokyo Tower in the background.
Origins
Founded in 1393. After Tokugawa Ieyasu entered Edo, he designated it as the Tokugawa family temple, and six Shoguns were buried here. The Sangedatsumon gate is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property.
Pilgrimage Courses
Edo Castle Town Walk
0 / 8 spots
→
Goshuin Beginner (Tokyo)
0 / 5 spots
→
Ieyasu's Path to Unification
0 / 9 spots
→
Divine Benefits
Purification
Rebirth in Pure Land
Cleansing impurity, spiritual purification, driving away evil. Rooted in misogi ablutions and goma fire rites.
Derived from the enshrined deity "阿弥陀如来"
祭Festivals & Events— 4
祭
8月
13
Zojoji Temple Bon Odori
Bon Odori at Zojoji Temple against the backdrop of Tokyo Tower. Despite being the Tokugawa shogunal family temple, the grounds fill with bon dance participants during Obon. The nighttime view combining Tokyo Tower's illumination and the temple's main hall is spectacular.
もっと詳しく · 3
記Related Articles— 14
記
記
Tokugawa Historic Sites in Edo: From Chiyoda to Minato
A guide to Tokugawa shogunate historic sites centered on Chiyoda and Minato wards, covering Edo Castle ruins, Zojoji, Kaneiji, and Hie Shrine. Examines 265 years of samurai rule through primary sources and surviving structures.
era
›
記
Amida Nyorai: The Central Buddha of Pure Land Buddhism
Amida Nyorai is the buddha who vowed to save all beings without exception. Derived from the Sanskrit "Amitabha" (Infinite Light), Amida is venerated across Japan as the central deity of the Jodo, Jodo Shinshu, and Ji sects.
basics
›
記
Emma-O: Judge of the Underworld and the Depths of Japanese Hell Beliefs
Emma-O is the judge deity who presides over the Buddhist underworld, determining the fate of the dead based on their deeds in life. Originating from the Indian god Yama, he evolved through China and Japan into the central figure of the Ten Kings of Hell, with powerful statues preserved in temples across Japan.
basics
›
もっと詳しく · 11
史Related Historical Events— 1
史
1868
江戸無血開城
慶応4年（1868年）3月13日・14日、旧幕臣・勝海舟と新政府軍参謀・西郷隆盛が高輪の薩摩藩邸で会談し、江戸城の無血明け渡しが決定した。当時100万人を超える世界最大級の都市・江戸を戦火から救った日本史上最大の交渉劇。勝は「江戸の町と民を焼くわけにはいかない」と説き、西郷は「いろいろ難しい議論もありましょうが、私が一身にかけてお引き受けします」と応じた。
Read more →
Posts
0
＋
No posts yet
Goshuin
No goshuin posts yet
Visiting Information
Hours
Main Hall (Daiden) open 6:00 AM–5:30 PM; Ankoku-den 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (goshuin/amulets also at Ankoku-den, same hours). Special viewing of the Tokugawa Shogun family mausoleum: weekdays 11:00 AM–3:00 PM, weekends/holidays 10:00 AM–4:00 PM (closed Tuesdays, except holidays).
Admission
Free to visit the Main Hall and Ankoku-den. Special viewing of the Tokugawa Shogun mausoleum costs ¥500 for adults (free for high school age and under); combo ticket with the treasure exhibition room is ¥1,000.
As of 2026-07-17. Subject to change.
Also Worth Visiting
豊
Toyokawa Inari Tokyo Betsuin
A Soto Zen temple founded when Ooka Echizen enshrined Toyokawa Dakini-ten — all Seven Lucky Gods stand in one compound, the thousand-flags vista is stunning, and show-business devotion makes this Akasaka Inari famous
2.5km
→
済
Saikanji
A National Historic Site where France's first consulate-general in Japan was established in 1859 — a key landmark of late-Edo diplomacy alongside the American legation at Zenpukuji, on a Mita hilltop
1.6km
→
芝
Shiba Daijingu
The 'Ise Shrine of Kanto' founded in 1005 — the 11-day 'Daradara Matsuri' (Ginger Festival) is one of Edo's Three Great Festivals; counted among the Ten Shrines of Tokyo before Zojoji's main gate
433m
→
Zenkoji (Minato Ward)
Founded in 1623 by the wife of Tokugawa Tadanaga with a replica of Shinano Zenkoji's sacred image — Edo commoners could earn pilgrimage merit without leaving the city; the Aoyama clan graves that gave the district its name remain here
3.4km
→
薩
Satsuma Domain Warehouse Site & Saigo-Katsu Conference Site
The Satsuma Domain warehouse where Saigo Takamori and Katsu Kaishu met on March 13-14, 1868, sealing the bloodless surrender of Edo — the decisive moment that ended 250 years of Tokugawa rule and spared a million-person city from war
824m
→
出
Izumo Taisha Tokyo Branch
Founded in 1878 by the 80th head priest of Izumo Taisha — its unique four-clap worship style and matchmaking blessings draw unceasing visitors to a Roppongi skyscraper district
1.8km
→
宝
Hoshuin Temple
An Zojoji sub-temple housing Ieyasu's personal Benzaiten that he named 'Great Deity of Fortune and Success' — a Minato Seven Gods site
178m
→
旧
Former Taitoku-in Mausoleum Main Gate
The main gate built in 1632 by Shogun Iemitsu for his father Hidetada's mausoleum — a National Important Cultural Property since 1930, it miraculously survived the 1945 air raids that destroyed the mausoleum itself
186m
→
記
Suggest an update
Suggest fixes to the location, history, visiting hours, access, facilities, notes and more
›
Report incorrect info ›
Get the app for a better experience
Auto stamp via GPS, offline access, and favorites tracking
View in app
＋
Explore pilgrimage with the app
View in app
✕