Ryūsen-ji, Buddhist temple in Shimo-Meguro, Japan.
Ryūsen-ji is a Buddhist temple in Shimo-Meguro, Japan, arranged across several levels connected by stone steps, with a main hall and a waterfall at its core. The compound includes multiple prayer halls, a sacred waterfall, stone monuments, and gardens that together form a terraced religious complex.
A monk named Ennin founded the compound in 808 after experiencing a vision of a protective deity during a pilgrimage to Mount Hiei. The temple later became known as a center for fire rituals, drawing worshippers from surrounding neighborhoods over the centuries.
The site takes its name from the dragon enshrined in the side hall, while monks perform fire ceremonies each day before a black deity in the main building. On the twenty-eighth of every month, vendors line the approach selling sweets, grilled food, and small religious items.
The grounds open daily from six in the morning until five in the afternoon, with early hours offering a quieter visit when the gardens feel more calm. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes, as exploring the site involves climbing several levels of steps.
A grave on the grounds belongs to a scholar who introduced sweet potato cultivation to the country, and every October a festival in his honor serves cooked tubers to visitors. People can see the small stone lantern beside his tomb, donated by grateful farmers.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum
1.4 km
Yūten-ji
1.3 km
Rinshi-no-mori Park
582 m
Meguro Parasitological Museum
366 m
Nemunoki-no-niwa Garden
1.3 km
Gohyakurakan-ji
107 m
Ōtori-jinja
392 m
Daien-ji
698 m
Meguro Cinema
917 m
Shirokane Choja
1.4 km
Shirokane-sandō Bridge
1.1 km
Meguro Museum of Art
703 m
Hikawa-jinja
793 m
Kume Museum of Art
895 m
Taiko Bridge
556 m
Banryū-ji
204 m
Chōsen-in
946 m
Kaifuku-ji
130 m
Chōō-ji
886 m
Masjid Indonesia Tokyo
607 m
Meguro History Museum
1.3 km
Shin'ei Kilisesi
730 m
高福院
1.1 km
Reigen-ji
885 m
An'yō-in
302 m
Senshuu-ji
882 m
Tokuzoji
1 km
行元寺
441 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes