Admission
Free
At a Glance
Instead of the usual guardian lion-dogs, this temple features stone tigers (komainu) at the entrance. The left tiger still bears scars from the 1945 Tokyo air raids, preserved as a reminder of history.
The wooden Bishamonten statue is only revealed three times a year—on Tiger days in January, May, and September—commemorating the deity's legendary appearance on a Tiger month, day, and hour.
This temple is one of Edo's Three Great Bishamonten temples, alongside Shiba Shōden-ji and Asakusa Shōhō-ji, drawing worshippers from commoners to samurai since 1591.
The tiger guardians reflect Bishamonten's origin story in ancient Hindu tradition, where the deity first appeared during the year, month, day, and hour of the Tiger in the zodiac calendar.
Free
Kagurazaka Station
Ushigome-Kagurazaka Station
Fascinating facts about this place
Instead of the usual guardian lion-dogs, this temple features stone tigers (komainu) at the entrance. The left tiger still bears scars from the 1945 Tokyo air raids, preserved as a reminder of history.
The wooden Bishamonten statue is only revealed three times a year—on Tiger days in January, May, and September—commemorating the deity's legendary appearance on a Tiger month, day, and hour.
This temple is one of Edo's Three Great Bishamonten temples, alongside Shiba Shōden-ji and Asakusa Shōhō-ji, drawing worshippers from commoners to samurai since 1591.
Shinjuku, Tokyo Prefecture