Tsukiji Hongwan-ji

Ginza & Tsukiji


When this impressive branch of the mother temple in Kyoto fell victim to the Great Kantō Earthquake of 1923, it was rebuilt in a classical Indian style, making it one of the most distinctive Buddhist places of worship in Tokyo.

Incongruously, there's a huge pipe organ in the mail prayer hall – used for weddings and also during 30-minute recitals on last Friday of the month from 12.10pm. Also in the temple grounds is a visitor centre, opened in 2018, housing a good gift shop and Cafe Tsumugi.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Ginza & Tsukiji attractions

1. Tsukiji Market

0.13 MILES

Tokyo's main wholesale market may have moved to Toyosu, but there are many reasons to visit its old home. The tightly packed rows of vendors (which once…

2. Namiyoke-jinja

0.23 MILES

When Tsukiji's shrine was first built in the mid-1600s it was on the edge of the water – that's how much land reclamation has happened since. The name,…

3. Kabukiza Gallery

0.29 MILES

If you have a ticket to see a show at the Kabukiza theatre, you get a ¥100 discount on entry to this small gallery displaying stage props, scenery and…

4. Asahi Shimbun

0.33 MILES

Get an insight into how newspapers are produced on a free tour of the Tokyo headquarters of this national newspaper. Reserve two days in advance; English…

5. Kachidoki-bashi

0.33 MILES

Built in 1940, this is the only drawbridge over the Sumida-gawa, but it hasn't been raised since 1970.

6. Tsukuda Ohashi

0.54 MILES

Linking Tsukiji to the island of Tsukishima, this was the first bridge to be built over the Sumida-gawa after WWII.

7. Ginza Graphic Gallery

0.54 MILES

This gallery features monthly changing exhibits of graphic arts – focusing on advertising and poster art – from mostly Japanese artists but with the…

8. Shiseido Gallery

0.55 MILES

The cosmetics company Shiseido runs its experimental art space out of the basement of its Shiseido Parlour complex of cafes and restaurants. An ever…