Jindaiji Temple — Attraction in Tokyo

Jindaiji Temple was created and built in 733 and it is believed to be the second oldest temple in Tokyo after Sensoji Temple in Asakusa area. Its Main Hall was rebuilt in 1919 due to fire events in 1646 and 1865. The Main Hall worships the statue of Amida Nyorai or Buddha, while the Temple also has Hakuhoh Buddha which is a Shaka Nyorai Izo or Sitting Buddha, housed in Ganzandaishi Hall, which is stated to be the oldest national treasure of a Buddha statue in Kanto Region or Eastern Japan.

Most of the Japanese temples have so called Mountain Gates or “sanmon” as their main gates, for Jindaiji, its main gate has history of 300 years because it was built from 1695 with originality till now.

For tourists, in Tokyo area, who try to find a religious place which still preserve simple, but dignified, serene nature with forest wood, spring water, then, Jindaiji Temple, in Chofu, is probably an excellent place to go because, up to now, while it has a few foreign visitors, it does not have so-called noisy foreign tourist crowd yet.

Also, it is within shorter than 1-hour train ride from Shinjuku, Tokyo, and visitors can access the Temple by take local bus easily or walk easily with clear road signs.

For Access- by Keio Line to Chofu Station, KO 18, and visitors can either walk or take local bus No 34 to the final stop, the Jindaiji Temple.

The Temple is free for entry, and there are toilets for visitors. The Temple does offer daily...

Jindaiji Temple was erected in 733 and is the second oldest temple in Tokyo after Sensoji Temple in Asakusa. Having visited here first then experienced Senso-ji I’m glad we done it this way round as the atmosphere and surroundings of these two temples are completely different. The temple grounds are very tranquil, it had very little guests and you could walk around peacefully. You will need to take yen to purchase anything on the temple grounds or from the food stalls just outside. If you continue to walk up through the grounds you will find Jindaiji Pet Cemetery the largest pet cemetery in Tokyo. This touched our heart having had our own pet recently pass, you can buy Ema (small wooden plaques) to write prayers or wishes. The botanical gardens were closed on our day trip so we rode the bus back to the train station, despite language barrier it wasn’t an issue catching as it is sign posted clearly. We spend half day here and glad we took the time out to experience a quieter...

This temple is not only a place for devotion . It also have some green parts all around the temple complex which is great from end of April. You can sit down on a bench near a carved Buddha on a rock, dwelling on a cave where believers comes to address some prayers. There is also a botanical park nearby which I not yet been. My main interest was to see around the remain of a Uesugi fortress nearby which I fail as it was late and too crowded. You can go there by bicycle from Kichijoji or Mitaka station BTW if you can and also by bus, a 20-30 min ride. There is also a lot soba (buckwheat noodles) restaurant with long lines if you happen to be there on a sunny day during Golden week in early May. I guess it’s one delicacy as it seems very popular. This place is worth seeing if you are looking for something that looks like traditional...