Banzuiin

Banzuiin is a Buddhist temple in Koganei featuring an Amitabha Buddha statue as its principal deity, with the complex spreading across several buildings set within manicured gardens. The grounds combine traditional temple architecture with landscaped spaces that create a quiet setting for visitors.

The temple was founded in 1603 and was originally named Kanda San Shinchoji before relocating to its current Koganei location in 1940 after several moves. These relocations marked important transitions in the temple's long history across different periods.

This temple serves as a funeral hall where people gather to honor deceased loved ones, keeping alive the rituals and customs of Japanese Buddhism that have shaped the community for centuries. Visitors notice how the space itself reflects these sacred practices through its solemn design and the care taken in its maintenance.

The temple is located about seven minutes on foot from Musashi-Koganei Station and provides parking spaces for visitors arriving by car. Those arriving should move respectfully through the grounds, as the space is actively used for religious ceremonies and may have restricted access during services.

The temple was one of the eighteen schools of the Kanto Danrin movement and was known for training numerous high priests of the Jodo sect throughout the Kanto region. This teaching tradition established it as an important spiritual and intellectual center of its era.