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Zojoji Temple: A photo guide
Zojoji is beautiful. The temple is close to the heart of Tokyo in more ways than one. It is in the middle of the city and has influenced its cultural and religious life for many years. During the Edo period, it was a vast complex. What remains today is smaller in size but is still an important place. Visiting there gives you a glimpse of what it might have been like in its heyday. It can also give you some great photographs!
Walking into the grounds through the Sangedatsu gate gives me a thrill. In front of you will be the main hall of Zojoji, with Tokyo Tower behind, towering over it. It is a picturesque scene. The two have a strange kind of partnership! It is difficult not to have the Tower in any photos taken from that area! I shoot the famous pair every time I go.
By the way, Sangedatsu is one of the few original structures at Zojoji. It is huge and painted red. Passing through it is supposed to rid you of greed, hatred, and foolishness. I might have to walk through it more times to get some effect though.
Another gate named Daimon (Great Gate) in Japanese is about five hundred meters from the entrance. Even though this one is a concrete reconstruction, it is popular for photos. Why? Because Tokyo Tower is visible in the background here, too!
It is special as Daiichi-Keihin is nearby. What’s that? It’s a road that approximately follows the route of the historical “Tokaido.” Japanese history fans know that was once the main highway between Kyoto and Edo.
On the grounds, under the main hall, is a gallery. It houses a beautiful 1/10 scale model of the Taitokuin mausoleum that once existed on the grounds. The mausoleum housed the remains of the Shogun Hidetada Tokugawa. Unfortunately, the bombings of World War Two destroyed it in 1945. The miniature replica you’ll see is incredibly detailed. Some fantastic wall hangings surround it.
The temple even has two unique trees. Ulysses S. Grant (the 18th American president) planted one, and George H. W. Bush did the other. Near the trees is a memorial to the people who lost their lives in the Hotel New Japan fire in 1982.
What can you photograph at Zojoji?
- Cherry blossoms (2022 photos here)
- Rows of jizo statues (guardians of children, travelers, and firefighters);
- Temple architecture
- Kumano Shrine with its famous crow
- a huge bell (Daibonsho)
- smaller halls
- Tokyo Tower
- Tokugawa graveyard. You can see the graves of six of Japan’s fifteen shoguns, along with some of their wives and concubines. The tombs are magnificent.
Notes on the Zojoji and Tokyo Tower view
The Zojoji-Tokyo Tower pairing is a classic Tokyo photograph. Thousands of people, including myself, have taken it many times. Unfortunately, a new building is now visible on the right side of the frame.
Some, including myself, consider the new structure a blemish on what was once a great photo. So what you can do, is try to hide it (to some extent). On the left side of the temple is a courtyard. If you take pictures there, the new building will be mostly hidden.
Other photo spots in the area
- Atago Shrine
- Kyu Shiba Rikyu Gardens
- Shiba Park (2022 plum blossom pics here)
- Tokyo Tower
Events at the temple recommended for photographers
- New Year’s Day (Hatsumode) – January 1
- Setsubun (Bean Throwing Festival) – February 3 (2023 photos here)
- Tanabata (the Star Festival) – July 7 (2022 photos here)
Where is Zojoji Temple?
Address: 4-7-35 Shibakoen, Minato City, Tokyo
Here it is on a Google map:
Closest train stations:
- Hamamatsucho on the JR Line or Tokyo Monorail (10-minute walk)
- Onarimon and Shiba Park on the Toei Mita Line (from both a 3-minute)
- Daimon on the Toei Subway Asakusa Line and Oedo Lines (5-minute walk)
- Akabanebashi on the Toei Subway Oedo Line (7-minute walk)
- Kamiyacho on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line (10-minute walk)
Opening hours
- The temple grounds are open from 6:30 am to 5:30 pm.
- The graveyard and museum are open from 11 am to 3 pm on weekdays. On weekends they are open from 10 am to 4 pm.
Admission fees
- The grounds are free.
- ¥500 for the mausoleum.
- ¥700 for the museum.
- ¥1000 for both.
Conclusion
There are many contenders for the title of the most famous Tokyo temple. Zojoji is one of them. It is big, beautiful and has many things to keep anyone with a camera happy. Plus you get the bonus of Tokyo Tower in the background. While that view might not be what it once was, it is still good. You should put it on your itinerary.
External related websites:
- Zojoji Temple (official website)
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