Shibamata Taishakuten Temple
Shibamata Taishakuten (柴又帝釈天), whose formal name is Daikyoji (題経寺), is a Nichiren Buddhist temple located near Keisei Line Shibamata Station. Taishakuten is a Buddhist divinity which is equivalent to Hindi god Indra.
Founded in 1629, this temple managed to avoid being destroyed in WWII and preserves a temple complex created before the war (some of its buildings were erected after the war). It also has a beautifully maintained Japanese garden in the recess. (400 yen is required to see this garden, together with sculptures carved on the walls of Taishakudo Hall.)
The passage leading to the temple from the station also retains a nostalgic shitamachi atmosphere.
Located near the temple is Yamamoto-tei, the former residence of a local businessman, which is now open to the public.
The Nitenmon Gate was constructed in 1896. Under the gate, statues of Zocho-ten and Komoku-ten are placed as guardians. Zocho-ten and Komoku-ten are two of the four Buddhist deities guarding four directions, who are collectively known as Shitenno.
Dai-Shoro is where a huge bell is hung. It was erected in 1950.
Taishakudo is a building dedicated to Taishaku-ten, a powerful Buddhist god also known as Indra in Hinduism.
Taishakudo is composed of Haiden where people offer prayers and Naiden in which Taishaku-ten is enshrined.
This Haiden was constructed in 1929.
Naiden of Taishakudo was completed in 1915. The surfaces of its walls are covered with sculptures, and 400 yen is required to see these (and the Japanese stroll garden).
Hondo, or the Main Hall, enshrines sect founder Nichiren (1222-1282). It is not uncommon for a Nichiren Buddhist temple to enshrine their founder in the main hall.
Hondo, like Taishakudo, is also made up of Haiden and Naiden. Haiden of Hondo was constucted in 1888.
Shakado enshrines Shaka (Gautama Buddha) and was erected in the early 19th century.
Naiden of Hondo was built in the Edo period.
Dai-Kyakuden is a large guest house built in 1929. Shokeien Garden in front of Dai-Kyakuden was revamped like what it looks like now in 1965. If you are to see this garden, you need 400 yen for admission (together with sculptures on Taishakudo).