Admission
- Adult (18+)Free
Taito, Tokyo Prefecture
At a Glance
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.
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.
This temple offers 1 different goshuin designs
Regular
¥500
The divine spirits venerated at this sacred place
Peaceful
Quick (15-30 minutes)
Ueno-Hirokoji Station
上野広小路駅Ueno Station
上野駅Yushima Station
湯島駅Facilities
Ramp to temple is on the south side of building.
Sacred journeys this temple belongs to
Fascinating facts about this place
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.
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.
