Shibamata Taishakuten Temple [Tokyo]

[Overview of Shibamata Taishakuten]

Shibamata Taishakuten was founded in 1629. Legend has it that Nichichu, the 19th head priest of Hokekyoji Temple in Shimousa-Nakayama, established it alongside his disciple, Nichiei. When the priest Nichiei stopped by Shibamata, he found a pine tree with magnificent branches and a sacred spring flowing beneath it, and built a hermitage there, which marked the temple’s beginning. Its formal name is Kyoeizan Daikyoji, and it is a temple of the Nichiren sect of Buddhism.

The principal image of worship is an Ita-honzon (a wooden plaque), said to have been carved by Nichiren himself. It is said that one side features the chant “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo” and a passage from the Lotus Sutra, while the other side depicts Taishakuten in a wrathful form.

【Shibamata Taishakuten Approach (Sando)】

The approach (sando) to the temple is a shopping street that evokes a nostalgic Showa-era atmosphere, lined with long-established dango (sweet dumpling) shops, restaurants, and souvenir stores. The street is beautifully maintained with no utility poles, making it a joy to simply stroll through. At the end of the path, the Nitenmon Gate comes into view.

I have summarized a walking route below, which I hope you will find helpful.

[A Stroll Through Shibamata] Showa Nostalgia and Edo Refinement: A Good-Luck Route in a Shitamachi Where Time Stands Still

【Shibamata Taishakuten Nitenmon Gate】

Built in 1896. The gate gets its name from the two deities (“Ni-ten”) enshrined on the left and right of its first level: Zochoten and Komokuten, who are among the Four Heavenly Kings. These statues date back to the Heian period and were reportedly donated by Myokokuji, another Nichiren sect temple in Sakai, Osaka, when the gate was constructed.

【Shibamata Taishakuten Taishakudo Hall】

Passing through the Nitenmon Gate brings you to the Taishakudo Hall. The outer building you see is the Worship Hall (Haiden), completed in 1929. Inside this hall is the Inner Sanctuary (Naiden), which was completed earlier in 1915. The timeline suggests the Worship Hall was built to enclose the already completed Inner Sanctuary.

The Inner Sanctuary houses the wooden plaque of Taishakuten, flanked by Jikokuten and Tamonten (Bishamonten) of the Four Heavenly Kings. This Inner Sanctuary is open to the public as a sculpture gallery. In front of the Taishakudo stands the “Zuiryu Pine” (Zuiryu no Matsu), which is currently designated as a Natural Monument of Tokyo.

【Shibamata Taishakuten Sculpture Gallery】

You can view both the sculpture gallery and the garden for an admission fee of 400 yen.

The exterior walls of the Inner Sanctuary (East, North, and West) are completely covered in decorative wood carvings. These carvings visually depict 10 representative parables from the Lotus Sutra. It took about ten years, from 1922 to 1934, for ten master sculptors, including Toranosuke Kato, to complete them, with each artist taking charge of one panel.

After exiting the sculpture gallery, you can take a path that leads to the Suikei-en Garden.

【Shibamata Taishakuten Suikei-en Garden】

Suikei-en is a pond-strolling garden spreading out in front of the Grand Guest Hall, located right behind the Taishakudo Hall.

It is designed so that visitors can walk all the way around, and the covered walkways allow you to enjoy the garden even in rain or snow.

It is currently designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

【Shibamata Taishakuten GOSHUIN】

【Tourist Spots Near Shibamata Taishakuten】

Katsushika Shibamata Tora-san Museum, Yamamoto-tei, Gohouzan Kumano Shrine.

Tora-san Museum · Yamamoto-tei [Tokyo]

五方山 熊野神社【東京都】

【Shibamata Taishakuten Access】

Admin’s Impressions

It seems some visitors just pray at Shibamata Taishakuten and leave, but I highly recommend not skimping on the entrance fee—you absolutely should see the sculpture gallery and the garden. The wood carvings are particularly breathtaking and rival those of Nikko Toshogu Shrine, so I strongly encourage you to take a look. The garden is exceptionally well-maintained, beautiful, and offers a wonderful space to spend a quiet, peaceful time. Since I recommend approaching the temple via the traditional sando (shopping street), taking the train is the best option.

Scale

 (4)

Access

 (4.5)

History and Origins

 (3.5)

Nature and Landscape

 (1)

Stillness

 (1)

Types of Goshuin

 (2)

Address of the Shibamata Taishakuten

7-10-3 Shibamata, Katsushika Ward, Tokyo 125-0052

※Paid parking available.

About a 3-minute walk from Shibamata Station on the Keio Line

参考

柴又帝釈天ウェブサイト

柴又帝釈天

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[A Stroll Through Shibamata] Showa Nostalgia and Edo Refinement: A Good-Luck Route in a Shitamachi Where Time Stands Still Tora-san Museum · Yamamoto-tei [Tokyo] Fukagawa Fudo Hall (Narita-san Tokyo Betsuin) [Tokyo] Tokyo Daibutsu (Jorenji Temple) and Akatsuka Botanical Garden [Tokyo]