Shofukuji Jizodo Hall (National Treasure)
Shofukuji Jizodo
正福寺 地蔵堂
The only National Treasure building in all of Tokyo.
highlights
Highlights & things to do
A temple of the Kenchoji branch of the Rinzai Zen sect; the Jizodo Hall is a Zen-style building from the Muromachi period (said to have been built in 1407).
It is the only structure in Tokyo designated a National Treasure as a “building.”
The exterior can be viewed at any time. The curve of the roof and the bracket complexes show the beauty of Zen-style architecture.
The interior is opened to the public only a few times a year (traditionally said to be Aug 8, Sep 24 and Nov 3, but this varies by year).
As the name “Jizodo” (Jizo hall) suggests, the hall is packed with small Jizo statues. In the Edo period, a person with a wish would borrow one Jizo to take home, and if the wish came true would return it with another added — this accumulation is said to be the origin of the name “Sentai Jizo” (a thousand Jizo).
photos
Photo gallery
Photo credit: Photo: Bryan MacKinnon / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0). The Jizodo Hall with cherry blossoms.
A spot that surprises people: “There's a National Treasure building in Tokyo?” The quiet, dignified air makes this place feel like it belongs to another era.
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