Higashi Hongan-ji

Higashi Hongan-ji is a Buddhist temple in the Nishi-Asakusa neighborhood of Tokyo, Japan, belonging to the Jodo Shinshu school. The grounds include several wooden buildings with curved roofs, among them a main hall for worship and an enclosed cemetery garden called Jōen.

The site was founded in 1651 by Buddhist master Kyōnyo, who established a center for Jodo Shinshu teachings here. Over the centuries, it remained an important location for this Buddhist movement in eastern Japan.

The temple serves as a gathering place for community members who come together for shared prayers and ceremonies. Visitors can observe worshippers lighting incense and bowing before the altars, practicing the centuries-old rituals of the Jodo Shinshu tradition.

The temple grounds open for visitors at 6 in the morning and close at 4 in the afternoon for general visits. Those wishing to visit the memorial hall in the Jōen garden can do so until 9.30 in the evening.

In the Jōen garden, families can use shared burial sites, which is somewhat uncommon in Tokyo due to limited space. This practice allows multiple generations to be laid to rest in the same facility, maintaining traditional burial customs in the modern city setting.

Location: Nishi-Asakusa

Inception: 1651

Founders: Kyōnyo

Address: 東京都台東区西浅草1-5-5

Website: https://honganji.or.jp

GPS coordinates: 35.71128,139.78967

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:28