Kōan-ji

Koan-ji is a Zen Buddhist temple in Bunkyo with a main hall built in the style of a traditional Japanese storehouse featuring thick walls and barred windows. The complex sits like a fortress in the urban landscape and holds several smaller buildings arranged around a central courtyard.

The temple was originally designed and built as a protective space for valuable Buddhist texts and objects. Its sturdy construction allowed the building to survive both the major earthquake of 1923 and World War II bombing campaigns.

The temple is shaped by Zen Buddhist tradition and offers visitors a space for quiet reflection in the middle of the busy city. Meditation practice is a living part of daily temple life here.

The temple sits in a quiet neighborhood and is open to visitors every day, so you can stop by anytime. Wear comfortable shoes since removing them when entering is customary, and it helps to check beforehand if there are special rules for meditation sessions.

The temple was built after the model of fortified Japanese storehouses, with thick walls and special windows originally designed to protect religious texts from fire. This building method proved so effective that it later served as a model for other fireproof structures in the city.