Regular
¥2,000
At a Glance
The main deity statue has eight arms holding different weapons to fight evil, earning it the name 'Happi-Benzaiten' (Eight Elbows Benzaiten) - the only female among Japan's Seven Lucky Gods.
The temple was built to recreate Lake Biwa's Chikubushima Island - part of monk Tenkai's grand plan to model all of Ueno after Kyoto, making the pond a miniature replica of Japan's largest lake.
This temple offers 5 different goshuin designs
Regular
¥2,000
Regular
¥500
Regular
¥2,000
Regular
Regular
¥500
Typical Crowds
Peaceful
Visit Duration
Quick (15-30 minutes)
Facilities
Ramp to temple is on the south side of building.
Access the temple via the atmospheric walkway that extends straight across Shinobazu Pond from the eastern side, lined with tea shops where you can stop for refreshments.
Expect a lively atmosphere with food stalls lining the entrance area, especially popular with international tourists, creating a festival-like environment rather than a purely contemplative temple setting.
Explore the stone monuments dedicated to water birds, turtles, and fish on the temple grounds, which commemorate the historical Buddhist ceremonies of compassion when these animals were released into the pond.
Look for the unique Ugaijin statue, a serpent-bodied deity with a bearded human head, outside the Main Hall next to a large biwa lute sculpture. Inside, admire the dynamic dragon painting on the ceiling by Kibo Kodama from 1966.
Visit during summer to see the pond covered entirely with lotus leaves creating a dramatic green sea around the temple, or in autumn for colorful foliage contrasting with the withering lotus plants.
The divine spirits venerated at this sacred place
Fascinating facts about this place
The main deity statue has eight arms holding different weapons to fight evil, earning it the name 'Happi-Benzaiten' (Eight Elbows Benzaiten) - the only female among Japan's Seven Lucky Gods.
The temple was built to recreate Lake Biwa's Chikubushima Island - part of monk Tenkai's grand plan to model all of Ueno after Kyoto, making the pond a miniature replica of Japan's largest lake.
Shinobazu Pond, once known as the 'Pond of Release,' hosted Buddhist ceremonies that freed water birds, turtles, and fish as acts of compassion. Stone monuments to these animals still stand on the grounds today.
The octagonal temple hall was designed so visitors can worship Benzaiten from any direction, and its striking eight-sided shape mirrors the eight arms of the goddess enshrined within.
Taito, Tokyo Prefecture
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What this place is believed to grant
4.5
2 reviews
You reach the temple by walking a straight causeway across Shinobazu Pond from the eastern shore, flanked by tea shops if you want to pause along the way. The setting is lively rather than hushed, with food stalls near the entrance drawing crowds, so come expecting a festive mood.
The grounds hold some quietly interesting details. Stone monuments commemorate Buddhist ceremonies in which water birds, turtles, and fish were released into the pond as acts of compassion. Outside the Main Hall, look for the Ugaijin statue, a serpent-bodied figure with a bearded human head, standing beside a large biwa lute sculpture.
Edith Contreras left a review
Within 300 m Within 600 m
Timetable data: Public Transportation Open Data Center
Renting needs the operator's app and a Japanese phone number. docomo day passes are sold at convenience stores. Data sources
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