Kōkoku-ji — Local services in Tokyo

The deputy priest and his family are all very warm and good natured. Although the temple grounds are not large, you can enjoy seasonal flowers from season to season. Several times a year, visitors can write wonderful goshuji (headstones) in colored ink or pigment, depending on the season and other factors. I have never participated in this event, but there are also events such as making miso and original red seal books.

There is a large ginkgo tree, said to be the largest in Shinjuku City. However, I only saw it from a distance because there was a sign that said people who are not visiting the cemetery are not allowed to enter. Therefore, I did not know how big it was compared to other large gingko trees in the neighborhood (such as the one in front of the Nippon Shuppan Club Hall, the one of Yoshinobu Tokugawa, and the one in the Ushunen Garden).

It was originally located in Kiyomasa Kato's villa, and has maintained its present form despite disasters and war damage. It is said to be well-loved by local residents. There are two large ginkgo trees that are said to be over 500 years old, each of which is a natural monument of the district.

The trees are highly valued for their rarity, history, and symbolism, and because it is considered "desirable to preserve them safely for as long as possible," they have been designated as specially protected trees and important trees for the landscape by...

Been wanting to come here for a long time since I saw it on YouTube, and I finally did!

Just a few pointers:

Please ask the temple staff to let you in. They will turn on the display in the room. The office is located on the side of the main temple building.

The lighted Buddha temple is a columbarium, with cremated ashes of people behind each Buddha statuette. Please bow when you are in the room, as it’s considered respectful.

The lighted Buddha room is called “Ruriden” and is located on the side, close the main temple building. One of my photos has an arrow pointing to the right place. Hope it helps!

A unique and great experience in Tokyo, blending the old with the new. There are yuzu trees and nice grounds and a cemetery as well. Very quiet and peaceful. You do have to pay a small fee, but nothing expensive. Really cool to finally see it, it...

A tiny little temple and cemetery area this is incredible! With projection mapping and hundreds of tiny buddhas it is so different from anything I’ve seen before. You need to go to the temple office to pay the ¥500 donation they as for and they are happy to open it up for you and turn on the lights. Just amazing and you’d have no idea it was there! Worth having a walk around the cemetery too. Quiet and set back from the road. Thank you for having me. I bought some amazing goshuin (temple stamps) there too and the priest gave me a wooden spoon...