Kannon-ji, Buddhist temple in Setagaya-ku, Japan
Kannon-ji is a Buddhist temple in the Setagaya-ku district of Tokyo, housing a venerated statue of the Bodhisattva Kannon, associated with mercy. The grounds hold several buildings, including worship halls and a garden.
The temple gained recognition in 1590 when Tokugawa Ieyasu, who would become the first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate, designated it as a place for official offerings. This act gave the site a lasting place in the religious life of the region.
The main hall displays calligraphy works by the Edo Period artist Noguchi Sekko, still visible on the walls today. Visitors who look closely can appreciate the brushwork style that defined this kind of temple decoration.
The temple is reachable on foot from the surrounding residential streets and can be visited at a relaxed pace. When entering the buildings, it is customary to remove shoes, so comfortable footwear is a good idea.
The Yogodo Hall on the grounds holds 8 Buddha statues, each linked to one of the animals of the Chinese zodiac. This means visitors who know their zodiac sign can find the figure that corresponds directly to them.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
