Aizen-in

Aizen-in is a Buddhist temple in the Kasugacho district of Nerima with multiple buildings, a red-painted gate, and several stone monuments on its grounds. The complex includes ceremonial halls and a spacious funeral hall divided into three separate rooms.

Founded in 1437 by monk Noen-bo Songaku, the temple was relocated to its current site between 1624 and 1644 under high-ranking Buddhist priest Sonchi. A bell cast in 1701 on the grounds dates to this period of reorganization.

The temple is dedicated to Aizen Myoo, a deity visitors encounter through a large statue within the grounds. This devotion shapes how the space feels and connects people to practices that have continued for centuries.

The temple is open for visitors to explore and offers peaceful walkways between its buildings with solid pathways. Plan time to examine the stone sculptures and gate closely, as they contain many architectural and sculptural details worth noting.

The grounds contain a memorial stone dedicated to Nerima Daikon, a local vegetable with deep regional roots, installed in 1940 with an inscription from the Tokyo Governor. This stone links the temple's religious history with the agricultural heritage of the area.