Gessōji Temple — Attraction in Tokyo

This is a prominent temple located in Kichijoji, right in the heart of Sun Road, making it very easy to locate. The temple stands out due to its size and the distinctive architectural style, which blends traditional Japanese elements with the surrounding urban landscape. During festival days, the area around the temple becomes exceptionally lively, with a multitude of stalls, performances, and local activities that attract both locals and visitors. The vibrant atmosphere and the sheer number of people add to the excitement, making it a must-see experience if you happen to be in the area during these events. The temple itself is a peaceful retreat from the busy streets, offering a moment of tranquility amidst the...

Back in 1999-2000, I was living in Seki-machi Higashi. The temple used to have a monthly Zazen open to the public. I started with White Plum Asanga in 1995 and it was more difficult than expected to find a Soto.shu temple that held Zazen sessions open to the public. Centro Zen the Mexico was open everyday in those days, so it was strange for me that Gessoji was open to the public only once a month... Everybody was very nice...

Nice temple with cemetery and parking lot. It provides a quiet retreat from the street, but there is only the main entrance from the south open (no exit through the North as those are through...