Kichijoji Temple

吉祥寺Kichijoji (吉祥寺) is a Soto Zen Buddhist temple founded in 1458. In the Edo period, an academic institute of Soto Buddhism was placed here, which eventually developed into present-day Komazawa University. Of the wooden structures which were situated here before WWII, only the Sanmon gate and Kyozo (storage to house sutras) remain.
In the cemetery located to the north of Hondo (main hall), there remain the tombs of a few Daimyo (domain lord) families erected in the Edo period. As land is precious in modern Tokyo, feudal lords are often reburied in much smaller graves nowadays. That is the same with here at Kichijoji, and already several Daimyo families' graveyards was scaled-down, but still a few families retain tombs built in the feudal times.
It's a 4-min walk from Tokyo Metro Namboku Line Honkomagome Station, or a 9-min walk from Toei Mita Line Hakusan Station.

Sanmon gate
Kichijoji

The Sanmon gate, or the main gate, was erected in 1802.

Kichijoji
Statue of Buddha
Kichijoji

This Statue of Buddha was created in 1722.

Kyozo
Kichijoji

Kyozo, constructed in 1804, is where sutras are stored.

Hondo
Kichijoji

Hondo, or the main hall, is a post-war reconstruction made with concrete.

Kaizando
Kichijoji

Kaizando is where the monk who founded this temple is enshrined. This is also a post-war building made with concrete.

Tombs of family members of feudal lords
Kichijoji
Kichijoji
Kichijoji
Kichijoji
Kichijoji Temple
3-19-17 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo MAP
Access: 4-min walk from Tokyo Metro Namboku Line Honkomagome Station/ 9-min walk from Toei Mita Line Hakusan Station