Ikegami-Honmonji Temple: A photo guide

Ikegami Honmonji main hall
Ikegami Honmonji's main hall.

Ikegami-Honmonji Temple is the main temple of the Nichiren sect of Buddhism. I’ve only visited it twice. So far, I’ve been very impressed.  It has a magnificent main hall and plenty of flowers. Plus, it has a fantastic graveyard. It seems I’ve only scratched the surface. This place is historic and beautiful. So many photographs are waiting to be made there. It is a fabulous Tokyo photo spot.

A brief history of Ikegami-Honmonji

  • Nichiren recuperated there from an illness in 1282 on his way from Minobusan to Hitachi. It was his final journey, as he died on October 13.
  • Historical figures such as Kiyomasa Kato and Toshiie Maeda patronized it.
  • Takamori Saigo and Kaishu Katsu discussed the surrender of Edo to Imperial Forces there to end the Boshin War.
  • WW2 Air raids destroyed many of the historic buildings. But the pagoda, main gate, and sutra storehouse escaped destruction.
Ikegami Honmonji main staircase
The temple's main entrance.

What can you photograph there?

  • Main hall – WW2 air raids destroyed the original building. This reconstruction has a stunning altar. On the ceiling is a fading ceiling mural of a dragon.  
  • Flowers – The temple is famous for plum and cherry blossoms.
  • Main gate – This gate dates from the Genroku era (late 17th to early 18th century).
  • Five-story pagoda – This is a National Important Cultural Property. It is also the oldest five-story pagoda in the Kanto area. The second Shogun, Hidetada Tokugawa, built it in 1607.
  • Tahoto – This is a red pagoda where Nichiren was cremated. It is the only structure of its type remaining in Japan.
  • Main entrance staircase – The main entrance’s staircase has ninety-six stone steps inspired by the Lotus Sutra. It is said Kiyomasa Kato donated it.
  • Cemetery – Honmonji’s cemetery is the resting place of many historical people. It also has some plum blossoms.
Ikegami Honmonji roof onigawara
A rooftop onigawara.

Three tips for photographers:

  • The temple should be an excellent spot for cherry blossoms. I haven’t seen them in bloom, but I have seen the trees (pre-season).  And I have seen YouTube videos in which they look fantastic. Spring should be incredible. 
  • Ikegami-Honmonji seems to get very few foreign tourists. That might be a bonus for some people, though. 
  • Many Japanese go there on weekends to pray. So, if you want to photograph the grounds as people-free as possible, weekdays should be better.
Niomon gate guardian deity
The Niomon gate guardian deity.
Ikegami Honmonji grave
One of the graves in Ikegami Honmonji's cemetery.

Where is Ikegami-Honmonji Temple?

Address: 1-1-1 Ikegami, Ota City, Tokyo 

Here it is on a Google map:

Closest train station

Ikegami on the Tokyu-Ikegami Line. The temple is about a ten-minute walk from the station’s East Exit.

Opening hours

The grounds are open 24 hours a day.

Admission costs

None

Other photo spots near Ikegami-Honmonji

Conclusion

I’m excited about Ikegami-Honmonji, even though I’ve only visited it briefly twice. From my short experience, it is a stunning temple. Some of the original architecture is still there, and it is impressive.

And don’t forget the flowers. There aren’t many plum blossoms, but they are there. Cherry blossoms seem to be the focus at Ikegami. When they bloom, the temple should be very special. I can’t wait to see them (someday!).

plum blossoms at Ikegami Honmonji
Spring plum blossoms.

Please consider this guide as a work in progress. There is much there I need to discover. It’ll take time to check this place out, but it is on my list! The photos will be here one day.

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