Kongō-in, Buddhist temple in Toshima-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Kongō-in is a Buddhist temple in Toshima-ku that features traditional architecture, stone-lined paths, and several Buddhist statues throughout its grounds. The temple includes a sacred sand area containing earth from 88 pilgrimage sites arranged around a statue of Kobo Daishi.
The temple developed as a key stop along the Gofunai Henro, a traditional Buddhist pilgrimage route connecting sacred sites across Japan. This role as a pilgrimage station has remained central to its purpose through the years.
The temple serves as a gathering place where visitors participate in the shuin stamp collection tradition, marking their connection to Buddhist pilgrimage routes. This practice keeps alive a form of spiritual engagement that has been part of Japanese religious life for centuries.
The temple is open to visitors during the day and operates on a simple donation system for its activities and stamp collection. Comfortable footwear is recommended as you walk through the grounds connecting the gardens, pathways, and various statues.
The Osunafumi area contains actual sand brought from each of the 88 pilgrimage temples of the Shikoku circuit. This allows visitors to experience a condensed version of this major pilgrimage journey without traveling across the country.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
