Tokyo’s Tsukiji Honganji: A Historic Temple in the Modern Age

Tsukiji Honganji. The main gate of the temple originally stood on the same side as the Tsukiji market, but was rebuilt facing westward toward Nishi Honganji in Kyoto, and India further beyond.

Higashimori Shōnin poses in front of the hondō. He worked at the business office of Honganji in Kyoto before coming to the temple in 2018.

Water trickles from a stone cistern near the main entrance. Visitors are free to tour the grounds.

Cafe Tsumugi serves a tasty breakfast menu, complete with an intimate view of the temple’s main hall.

The dome atop the hondō is a distinguishing feature of the temple.

Tsukiji Honganji’s south gate faces toward the neighborhood’s famed wholesale market.

The entrance of the hondō reveals images of lotus flower rendered in stained glass.

Chairs set out for parishioners under a ceiling featuring traditional Japanese bracketing. Such seating was unusual at the time the temple first opened.

The main image of Amida Nyorai, the patron Buddha of Jōdo Shinshū, in the hondō.

The temple uses a wide range of architectural elements, including an Indian-inspired dome and decorative windows done in the Japanese katōmado style.

The steps of the temple feature pagoda-like stone reliefs and other carvings.

A geometric design in a wall near the entrance.

A stained-glass window shimmering from between the towering pipe organ is a peculiar scene for a Buddhist temple.

Winged shishi guarding the front of the temple are depicted expressing the sacred utterance Aum.

Images of birds, monkeys, and elephants—important animals in Buddhist teachings—adorn different areas of the temple.

The mythical shishi joins a horse on the stone railing of a stairway.

Tsukiji Honganji’s information center. It is located near Exit 1 of Tsukiji Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line.

The interior of Tsumugi. Large windows give an unobstructed view of the hondō.

The 18-dish breakfast special is served with a bottomless bowl of rice porridge.

Tsukiji Honganji lit up at night.

The temple bookstore has a wide range of titles concerning different aspects of Buddhism.

The temple’s official shop carries religious paraphernalia as well as knickknacks and other items bearing the logo of Tsukiji Honganji.

The hotel inside the Tsukiji Honganji Kaikan has 12 rooms that start from ¥5,500 per person per night.

A Western-style room at Tsukiji Honganji Kaikan.

The temple’s communal grave is open to people of different denominations.

The altar of Tsukiji Honganji’s communal grave has a window that looks onto the dome of the main hall.

There are a number of graves of historical figures, including painter Sakai Hōitsu (1761–1829).

A statue of True Pure Land Buddhism Founder Shinran.

The dome of the hondō glows in the evening sky.