Shōkaku-ji, Buddhist temple in Nakameguro, Japan.
Shōkaku-ji is a Buddhist temple in Nakameguro with multiple buildings spread across landscaped grounds and an extensive cemetery area marked by stone lanterns and winding pathways. The layout combines main worship halls with thousands of graves organized in neat sections throughout the spacious grounds.
The temple was founded in 1619 during the early Edo period and belongs to the Nichiren Buddhist sect. Its architecture and design reflect traditional styles from that era of its establishment.
The temple serves as a center for Buddhist funeral rites and ancestor veneration, where visitors can observe how Japanese families regularly honor and remember their deceased members. The practice of caring for ancestral graves shapes both the physical layout and the daily rhythm of the place.
The temple is located just a short walk from Naka-meguro Station and welcomes visitors except during funeral ceremonies. It helps to check ahead if services are scheduled, as the grounds may be restricted during those times.
Tall ginkgo trees on the grounds turn brilliant yellow in autumn, creating a striking contrast with the temple buildings and stone lanterns. This seasonal transformation draws visitors who want to experience how nature changes the appearance of the entire space.
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