Chōō-ji

Chōō-ji is a Buddhist temple in Shinagawa with several wooden buildings that feature curved roofs, paper walls, and a central prayer hall following traditional Japanese architectural design. The grounds showcase the classical structure and layout characteristic of temples in this sect.

The temple was founded in 1479 by the Ugato clan from Mikawa province and underwent several relocations before settling in its current location in Shinagawa. These moves reflect the geographic and social changes of the region across the centuries.

The temple belongs to the Hokke sect of Japanese Buddhism, and visitors can observe traditional memorial ceremonies and the daily religious practices of the local community.

The temple is accessible by a roughly 8-minute walk from Fudomae Station and is marked by a traditional Buddhist gate at the entrance. It helps to wear comfortable shoes and allow time to move through the grounds at a leisurely pace.

Another temple with the same name exists in Hokkaido, and both originate from the same religious foundation but have operated independently since the Meiji period. This shared origin connects the two sites despite their geographic distance.