Gokokuji Temple | Tokyo Cheapo

Gokokuji, east of Ikebukuro Station, is a beautiful wooden Buddhist temple founded in 1681 by the fifth shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi in honor of his mother. It managed to survive the air raids of WWII, and its main hall (Honden) was deemed an “Important Cultural Property”. Despite that classification, Gokokuji Temple really doesn’t get many visitors, so we’ve given it “off-the-beaten-path” status.

Besides the main temple, the grounds hold a large cemetery with stone pathways, a Buddha statue, and a small pagoda. It makes for a perfectly peaceful spot for an afternoon stroll.

Festivals: Every year, the temple celebrates Hana Matsuri (Flower Festival) on April 6 to commemorate Buddha’s birthday. The temple is also popular during cherry blossom season as it has many varieties of cherry trees.

Explore Japan with the best connectivity with an eSIM from Sim Local

With unlimited data plans starting from $4.99 per day, Sim Local is your solution to stay connected in Japan and have the most reliable connection. Avoid the hassle activate your eSIM in minutes and enjoy unlimited internet. Take advantage of a 10% discount using the code CHEAPO10 at checkout. GET YOUR ESIM NOW!

Click here for details

Access: The temple is a 20-min walk east from Ikebukuro Station or a 2-min walk from Gokokuji Station via the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line.