Zojoji Temple: Where an Edo-Era Gate Meets Tokyo Tower

Learn the story of Zojoji, the Tokugawa family temple in Shiba, its 1622 main gate, the grounds, and how to reach the photo view of Tokyo Tower.

Published October 20, 2026 at 10:43 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Zojoji is a Buddhist temple in Minato Ward, Tokyo, and the head temple of the Jodo school. Founded in 1393, it became the Tokugawa family temple after Tokugawa Ieyasu entered Edo. Its main gate, the Sangedatsumon, dates from 1622 and is an Important Cultural Property. The grounds are known for the view of Tokyo Tower rising behind the temple buildings.

What Zojoji is

Zojoji is a large Buddhist temple in the Shiba district of Minato Ward, set beside Shiba Park and in the shadow of Tokyo Tower. Its English site explains that it is the head temple of Jodo shu, the Pure Land school of Japanese Buddhism, which was founded by Honen in 1175. The central teaching, called senju nembutsu, is that reciting "Namu Amida Butsu" leads to rebirth in the Pure Land, a path open to everyone.

Because of its size and its position next to a landmark tower, Zojoji is a popular stop for those exploring central Tokyo. It is a working temple as well as a sightseeing place, so ceremonies take place on the grounds, and visitors share the space with worshippers.

On maps and signs the name appears as Zojoji or Zojo-ji, and both spellings refer to the same temple, so search for either when you plan your route. The tower beside it also makes the temple easy to locate from a distance.

A short history and the Tokugawa connection

The temple's English site says Zojoji was founded in 1393 as a Jodo school seminary in the Kanto region. After Tokugawa Ieyasu entered Edo in 1590, it became the Tokugawa family temple, and the temple's history page says it moved to its present site in 1598 (some reference works give a different year for the move). During the Edo period it also served as an administrative center for the Jodo school. The grounds hold the tombs of six Tokugawa shoguns and other family members.

Much of the compound, including the grand mausoleums, was lost in air raids in World War II. The temple has since been rebuilt, and the main hall, or Daiden, was rebuilt in 1974. A Treasures Gallery on the lower floor of the Daiden displays a one-tenth scale model of the Taitokuin Mausoleum of the second shogun, Hidetada, which helps visitors imagine the lost buildings.

The Sangedatsumon gate

The main gate, called Sangedatsumon or Sanmon, was built in 1622. The temple's English site calls it the only remaining original temple building and one of the oldest wooden structures in Tokyo, and it is an Important Cultural Property. Its name refers to being freed from the three worldly afflictions of greed, anger and ignorance, and in Jodo teaching, passing through the gate is said to cleanse them.

The gate has an unusual feature: it lacks the guardian statues, called Nio, that stand at many temple gates, reflecting the Jodo school's aim of reaching ordinary people. The second floor is closed to the public. The temple's site mentions a ten-year restoration of the gate scheduled to begin in April 2025, so scaffolding or coverings may be present; check the official page for the current state.

The photo view with Tokyo Tower

The view that draws many photographers is Tokyo Tower, 333 meters tall, rising behind the temple's buildings. The temple's own photos show it behind the main hall against the sky. The contrast between a seventeenth-century gate, a rebuilt hall and a red-and-white steel tower makes the scene memorable.

For a good picture, look for angles that include the main hall or gate in the foreground, and try early morning for softer light and fewer people. If the gate is covered during restoration, the main hall and the open space around it still offer a view of the tower. Please keep out of the way of worshippers and ceremonies, and follow any signs about photography.

Other things to see on the grounds

The temple's grounds hold several historic features. The Daibonsho, a large bell from 1673 weighing about 15 tons, is rung six times each morning and evening. The Kyozo, a sutra storehouse built in 1613 with financial support from Ieyasu, contains a revolving bookshelf. The Ankokuden enshrines a Black Amida Buddha image that Ieyasu revered, and a lecture hall, the Koshoden, has a ceiling decorated by 120 artists.

The Treasures Gallery has separate hours and admission, and it displays ten scrolls at a time from Kano Kazunobu's series of paintings of the five hundred arhats, changed every few months according to the temple. Some exhibition rooms and halls follow their own schedules, and visitors are asked to be respectful of worshippers. Check the temple's English site for the current schedule and fees.

Access and etiquette

Zojoji is at Shibakoen in Minato Ward. According to the temple's access page, Onarimon and Shiba-koen stations on the Toei Mita Line are each about a 3-minute walk, Daimon Station (Toei Asakusa and Oedo lines) about 5 minutes, Akabanebashi Station about 7 minutes, and Hamamatsucho Station, served by JR lines and the Tokyo Monorail, about 10 minutes. Walking times depend on the exit and your pace.

Treat the grounds as you would any active temple. Speak softly, avoid blocking the paths, and bow slightly before entering the main gate if you wish. Follow posted rules for photography, especially inside buildings. Opening hours and fees change, so check the official page. This guide shares general information on culture and history, so confirm current details with the temple.

Combining a visit with the area

The area around Zojoji works well as a half-day walk. Shiba Park has lawns and a good view of Tokyo Tower, and the tower itself has observation decks at 150 and 250 meters. Atago Shrine, reached by a flight of steps, is also in the neighborhood, so check a map if you would like to add it.

Because Zojoji is a short walk from stations on several lines, it fits easily between other plans in Minato Ward. Pairing it with a trip up Tokyo Tower or a walk through the park is a natural plan, and the short distances keep the day relaxed. Late afternoon can be pleasant as the light softens, though opening times differ for the temple buildings, the gallery and the tower, so check each one. Seasonal events change from year to year, so check the temple's calendar to see whether a ceremony or festival coincides with your visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is the main gate of Zojoji?

The Sangedatsumon was built in 1622, according to the temple's English site. It is described as the only remaining original temple building, one of the oldest wooden structures in Tokyo, and an Important Cultural Property. A multi-year restoration is planned, so check the temple's page for its current condition.

What is the connection between Zojoji and the Tokugawa family?

After Tokugawa Ieyasu entered Edo in 1590, Zojoji became the Tokugawa family temple. The grounds hold the tombs of six Tokugawa shoguns, and the temple was an administrative center for the Jodo school in the Edo period. Many of the original mausoleums were lost in the war.

Which station is closest to Zojoji?

The temple's access page lists Onarimon Station on the Toei Mita Line, and Shiba-koen Station on the same line, as about a 3-minute walk. Daimon Station is about 5 minutes and Hamamatsucho Station about 10 minutes on foot. Check the temple's access page for the latest directions.

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