Tsukiji Honganji Temple

Tsukiji Honganji Temple

The Tsukiji Honganji Temple, situated in the Tsukiji district of Tokyo, is a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist temple and a major pilgrimage destination of Japan. The temple is sometimes also referred to as the Hongwanji.

The Tsukiji Honganji Temple was built between 1931 and 1934 and was designed by the architect by Chuuta Ito. The temple has a distinct history of its own. The Edo Asakusa Gobo Temple, which was built in Asakusa in the year 1657, is considered as the predecessor of the grand temple. The temple at Edo however was completely destroyed by a fire in the year 1657. The shogunate did not allow the building of a new temple in the same place. Hence, the new temple was built on an area near the River Sumida. This temple was also destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. The new temple was then built in the year 1931.

The Tsukinji Honganji Temple is a major tourist attraction of Tokyo. The temple is particularly famous for its unique architecture. The design of the temple bears resemblance to the temples of South Asia. The original temple was built of wood. The modern day structure has a ferro-concrete building, adorned with Indian architectural motifs. The Hondo or the Main Worship Hall of the temple has elaborate seating arrangements, where the worshippers can sit and pray. It is decorated with huge chandeliers and paintings. The central altar in the Main worship hall houses the statue of the Amida Buddha. It is a standing image of the Buddha with an expression of wisdom and compassion for the people.

In the right auxiliary altar, one can get to see the statue of Shinran Shoin, the founder of the Jodo Shinshu sect. The left auxiliary altar enshrines the image of Shonyo Shonin, the 23rd Spiritual leader and the head of the Hongonji and a direct descendant of Shinran Shonin. The temple also enshrines an image of Prince Regent Shotoku, in the right sub-chamber. He is considered as the Father of Buddhism in Japan. Tourists visit this temple not only to pray but also to take a look at the numerous artifacts and articles belonging to Shonyo Shonin, Shinran Shonin and Prince Regent Shotoku.

A large number of events and religious functions are held in the Tsukiji Honganji Temple in Tokyo. Some of the various annual events that are held over here are as follows:

  -   New Year's Day Worship in January
  -   Coming of Age Service in January
  -   Equinox Week or Higan-e in March and September
  -   Birthday of the Buddha on the 8th of April
  -   Shinran Shonin's Birthday Celebrations on May 21st
  -   Urabon-e from July 13th to 16th
  -   Bon Dance from August 5th to 9th
  -   Shinran Shonin Memorial Service from the 11th to the 16th of November
  -   New Year's Eve Service or Joya-e on December.31st

The temple conducts Dharma Talks or religious discourses in Japanese everyday from 10:00 to 11:30 in the morning and again from 1:30 to 3:30 in the afternoon. The temple also conducts Buddhist services in English on Saturdays.

Getting to Tsukiji Hongonji Temple is simple and easy. One can walk from the Kabuki Theatre in Ginza to this place. It takes only seven minutes. Besides this one can also use the Hibiya Line Subway and come to the Tsukiji Station, or take the O-Edo Subway Line to Tsukiji-Shijoh station. You can also come here by bus.

The Tsukiji Honganji Temple in Tokyo is one of the most popular religious structures of Japan. The unique architectural design attracts numerous visitors to this place every year.

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