Ikegami Honmon-ji

Temple

Prefecture

Tokyo

Type

Temple

N/A

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Restaurant Train Access

About This Destination

Head temple of the Nichiren school on a hill in Ota Ward, built where Nichiren died in 1282. Free to visit, with the oldest surviving five-storied pagoda in the Kanto region and a steep flight of 96 stone steps at the front.

Nichiren, founder of the school of Buddhism that bears his name, was travelling to a hot spring for treatment in 1282 when he stopped at the Ikegami estate of a follower, and died there on October 13. The estate became this temple. Arrive from Ikegami Station and you meet the Shikyo-nanji-zaka first, 96 stone steps from around 1600, one for each character of a sutra verse about how hard it is to keep the faith. They are steep, and if your knees object, the Ikegami Kaikan building next door has a lift up to the grounds from 8:30 to 17:00. Most of the halls burned in the air raid of April 15, 1945; the five-storied pagoda did not. Raised in 1608 under the second shogun Tokugawa Hidetada, it is the oldest surviving five-storied pagoda in the Kanto region. Every year from October 11 to 13 the temple holds Oeshiki for the anniversary of Nichiren's death. On the night of the 12th, groups carry tall paper-flower mando lanterns up the hill to drums and whistles, and the temple counts up to 300,000 visitors that night. Expect packed trains.

Location

Prefecture: Tokyo

Address: Tokyo, Japan

Nearest Station: Ikegami Station

Closed: The grounds are open every day and there is no admission charge.

Hours note: Morning service is held in the Daido hall every day from 5:30 and anyone can attend. The Reihoden treasure hall is normally open on Sundays only. The five-storied pagoda opens on the first Saturday and Sunday of April, and the Tahoto on the mornings of October 12 and 13.

Best time to visit: October 11 to 13 for the Oeshiki memorial, especially the lantern procession on the night of October 12; late March to early April for cherry blossoms

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Visitor Information

Credit Cards: Unknown

Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Oeshiki at Ikegami Honmon-ji?

Every year from October 11 to 13, marking Nichiren's death on October 13, 1282. The main night is October 12, when groups parade mando lanterns decorated with paper flowers up to the temple and the temple counts up to 300,000 visitors.

Does it cost anything to visit?

No, the grounds are free and open every day. The five-storied pagoda and the Tahoto are opened only on set days, and the Reihoden treasure hall is normally open on Sundays.

Is there a way to avoid the stone steps?

Yes. The 96 steps from the main gate are steep, but the Ikegami Kaikan building beside the temple has a lift that comes out on the temple grounds, available from 8:30 to 17:00.