Mantoku-ji

Mantoku-ji is a former Buddhist temple in Ota with traditional Japanese wooden architecture, gardens, and stone pathways spread across the grounds. The site now houses exhibitions of historical documents, scrolls, and artifacts relating to its past operations and specific purpose.

The temple was founded to assist women with divorce proceedings during the Edo period and continued this service through the Meiji era. This function made it an important place for women seeking legal means to end their marriages.

This former temple served as a refuge where women could initiate divorce during the Edo period, and this purpose still shapes how visitors experience the site today. The preserved spaces and objects reflect a time when such places held special importance for women seeking legal independence.

The grounds are open to visitors during daylight hours, and wearing comfortable shoes is helpful for exploring the pathways between buildings and gardens. Audio guides and information in multiple languages help you navigate the site.

The site preserves written records of about 200 divorce cases, making it a rare historical document of women's rights in feudal Japan. These records show paperwork from real women who chose this path to end their marriages.