Renkō-ji

Renkō-ji is a Buddhist temple in Suginami-ku featuring traditional buildings, gardens, and Buddhist sculptures arranged across the grounds with seasonal cherry and maple trees. The complex includes meditation halls and spaces for religious practice set within a larger landscape design.

The temple was founded in 1594 and initially located in Edo before being moved to its current site in Suginami in 1915. This relocation marked a significant transition as the institution adapted to changes in the urban landscape.

The temple serves as a living center where people gather for meditation and Buddhist ceremonies that shape daily spiritual life. Visitors can observe how religious traditions continue to be practiced and transmitted within the community today.

The temple grounds are open daily and accessible by regular bus services from nearby stations, making arrival straightforward. It is helpful to check in advance whether special ceremonies or events are scheduled to enhance your visit.

The temple houses the ashes of Indian independence leader Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, marked by a memorial erected in 1975. This connection between a Buddhist site in Japan and a major figure in Indian history makes the temple an unexpected place of remembrance.