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.
This temple offers 1 different goshuin designs
Regular
¥500
Typical Crowds
Peaceful
Visit Duration
Quick (15-30 minutes)
Within 300 m Within 600 m
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.
1 recent visits and photo contributions
Tony Florence checked in
Facilities
Ramp to temple is on the south side of building.
The divine spirits venerated at this sacred place
What this place is believed to grant
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.
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.
Share how your visit was to help other travelers.
More ways to continue from this place.
