Zuirinji Temple, Buddhist temple in Yanaka district, Taitō-ku, Japan.
Zuirinji is a temple in Yanaka featuring elaborate carved decorations under the eaves of the main hall, where dragons, lions, elephant heads, and aquatic creatures display detailed color work. The grounds occupy a quiet compound shaded by mature trees that preserve the feeling of a secluded religious site.
The temple was founded in 1591 and stands as one of the few major structures in Tokyo that survived the Second World War intact. Its preservation makes it a rare example of religious architecture from that distant period that endured in the area.
The temple follows the teachings of Nichiren Buddhism, a school centered on the Lotus Sutra that shapes how visitors see the spiritual life here. You can observe this practice in the daily rituals and prayers conducted by monks and worshippers who gather within these grounds.
The grounds sit between Ueno and Nippori stations and are easy to reach on foot from either location. The entrance faces a quiet street, which means you may miss it easily if you are not paying attention to the surroundings.
The temple features an old cherry blossom tree on its grounds that draws visitors during blooming season. This tree grows within the temple compound and has been tended across generations.
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