Tokyo · Roppongi and Minato
Zojoji Temple
Zojo-ji was founded in 1393 in Kaizuka, not far from today's Imperial Palace, and moved to its current location in Shiba in 1598 at the initiative of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who made it his family temple. At the height of its power it had more than 100 sub-temples. Most of the complex was destroyed in the bombing of 1945, and the current main hall (Daiden) was rebuilt in 1974.
The Sangedatsumon gate, from 1622, is the only building that survived the bombing. It is one of the oldest wooden buildings in Tokyo and is designated an Important Cultural Property. Behind it stands the red Tokyo Tower, and this is the place for the classic photo of old Japan against new. Part of the Tokugawa shogun family is also buried at the site (six shoguns, with a separate paid entrance), and along the north side of the complex stand rows of small Jizo statues with red hats and pinwheels, in memory of children who died young or were not born.
The temple's great bell, from 1673, is considered one of the three great bells of Edo.
Good to know
- The Tokugawa family cemetery has a separate entrance: ¥500, closed on Tuesdays, and fully closed from 27 October to 1 December 2026 while a new ticket booth is built. On weekdays 11:00-15:00, on weekends and holidays 10:00-16:00.
- The hidden Buddha, Kuro-Honzon, is shown to the public only on the 15th of January, May and September, 10:00-16:00. The rest of the year it stays covered.
- The classic photo is from the courtyard between the gate and the main hall, with Tokyo Tower right above the roof.
What is nearby
Approximate walking minutes from the entrance of Zojoji Temple.
- HereZojoji Temple
- ~2 min
Daimon-dori Street
The street that leads from the Daimon gate of Zojo-ji toward Hamamatsucho Station. It has been the approach road to the temple since the Edo period, and along it are restaurants old and new.
- ~3 min
Shibadaimon Sarashina Nunoya Food
A long-established soba restaurant, which moved in 1913 to the street facing the Daimon gate of Zojo-ji. On weekdays it closes at 20:30, earlier on weekends, and it is closed on Wednesdays.
- ~4 min
Starbucks Coffee Shibadaimon Cafe
A branch with a terrace, close to the Daimon gate. In good weather you can sit outside with a coffee and see Tokyo Tower.
- ~6 min
Shiba Toshogu Shrine More to see
A Shinto shrine in memory of Tokugawa Ieyasu, inside Shiba Park. A ginkgo tree more than 350 years old, planted by the third shogun Iemitsu in 1641, is recognized as an ancient tree of Tokyo. Free.
- ~7 min
Shiba Park No.4 More to see
An avenue of trees with Tokyo Tower exactly centered at the end of it. A popular photo spot for weddings and TV series, with fewer tourists than the main entrance to the temple. Free.
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Appears in: Azabudai Hills, teamLab Borderless, Tokyo Tower and Roppongi