Koenji Temple [Tokyo]

【Koenji Temple summary】

Koenji Temple was founded in 1555. It is a Soto Zen temple founded in 1555 by the third head priest of Nakano Seiganji Temple, Sojo Kemuro. When Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third Tokugawa Shogun, stopped by the temple to take shelter from the rain during a falconry trip about 400 years ago, the priest casually treated him as a visitor, and Iemitsu often stopped by the temple, which later became famous. The area was called Ozawa Village, but Iemitsu renamed it Koenji Village after this temple, and the name Koenji has remained in its current name.

The current principal image of the temple is a standing statue of Sho-Kannon Bodhisattva, and a seated statue of Amida Nyorai, said to have been made in the Muromachi period (1336-1573), is also enshrined here.

If there is a Koenji station, there must be a temple called “Koenji” from which it originates! So I searched for it.

【Koenji Temple Gate and approach to the temple】

It is a magnificent gate. There is an impulse at the entrance, so I wondered if people do not visit the temple. I wondered. There is another entrance on the right side, so I entered from there.

The approach to the temple is quiet and the scenery looks good during the fall foliage season.

【Koenji Temple main temple building】

The front of the main hall is wide and open. The gingko tree in front is said to be over 400 years old.

Koenji Temple has burned down several times in the past, and the current main hall was rebuilt in 1953 by Nakamura Seiun, a temple carpenter. The current main hall was rebuilt by Seiun Nakamura, a temple carpenter, in 1953.

【Koenji Temple Inari shrine and twin dragon torii gates】

There is an Inari shrine in the precincts of the temple, and its torii (stone gateway) is called “Souryu Torii” with dragons carved on the pillars on both sides. There is no signboard and no money box…

Mabashi Inari Shrine [Tokyo]

Shinagawa Shrine [Tokyo]

The “Soryu Torii” are located here in Koenji, at Bambashi Inari Shrine, and at Shinagawa Shrine, and are said to be one of the three torii in Tokyo.

【Koenji Temple Nearby attractions】

Koenji Hikawa Shrine, Kuki Shrine, Mabashi Inari Shrine, Asagaya Shinmyougu Shrine

Koenji Hikawa Shrine and Kisho (Weather) Shrine [Tokyo]

Mabashi Inari Shrine [Tokyo]

Asagaya Shinmyougu Shrine [Tokyo]

【Koenji Temple Access】

Manager’s Comments

Koenji is the largest downtown area in Suginami Ward, but this temple, which gives its name to the area, is surprisingly quiet and solemn. Although not for tourists, it can be considered a valuable temple in the current over-tourism situation. There is a large ginkgo tree estimated to be over 400 years old in the temple grounds, and I would like to see it in the fall colors.

Site/Facility Size

 (3)

Richness of Nature

 (3)

Ease of access

 (4.5)

Number of tourists

 (1)

Koenji Temple

4-18-11 Koenji-Minami, Suginami-ku, Tokyo 166-0003, Japan

※（There is no parking (for tourists).

About 5 minutes walk from JR Koenji Station

参考

髙圓寺　【寺院】（高円寺南4丁目18番11号）

杉並区

関連投稿(Related Posts):

Mabashi Inari Shrine [Tokyo] Koenji Hikawa Shrine and Kisho (Weather) Shrine [Tokyo] Asagaya Shinmyougu Shrine [Tokyo] Senso-ji Temple [Tokyo]