Shōrin-ji, Buddhist temple in Toshima, Japan
Shōrin-ji is a Buddhist temple in Toshima where a large golden Amida Buddha statue sits in the main hall. Wooden carvings of birds and flowers surround this statue and shape the appearance of the space.
The temple was founded in 1550 as a sub-temple of Tofukuji at the request of the head priest Kogaku Reisho. This connection to Tofukuji shaped how the place developed and took form over time.
The temple preserves paintings of tigers on sliding doors and displays a standing statue of Bishamonten, the guardian deity of the north. These artworks remain visible reminders of the Buddhist tradition that shaped this place.
The temple is easy to reach, about 8 minutes on foot from JR Tofukuji Station, or by taking city buses 202, 207, or 208. The area is well paved and accessible to most visitors without difficulty.
Visitors can participate in sutra copying and creating Buddhist images, with materials and guidance provided by the temple. This hands-on engagement with Buddhist practice is something many visitors discover by chance.
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