妙寿寺

Overview

Myoju-ji is a temple of the Hokke sect (Honmon-ryu) located in Kitakarasuyama, Setagaya, Tokyo. It was one of the first temples to relocate to what is popularly known as the Karasuyama Teramachi, a district where twenty-six temples stand side by side, and its quiet gateway carries a settled sense of history. Within the grounds stands a guest hall designated a Tangible Cultural Property by Setagaya Ward, a former feudal lord's residence moved here and now a highlight of a visit.

Highlights

• ●The guest hall, a Setagaya-designated Cultural Property from the former Hasunoike Nabeshima residence
• ●The history of being one of the first temples to move to Karasuyama Teramachi
• ●A path from Yanaka to Sarue village and on to Kitakarasuyama
• ●The settled atmosphere of a gateway among twenty-six temples

History

Myoju-ji was originally named Myokan-ji and founded as a branch temple of the head temple Myoren-ji. At its founding it stood in Yanaka in Edo, then in 1662 it moved to Sarue village in Katsushika district of Musashi Province, and after the Great Kanto Earthquake it relocated again to its present site in Kitakarasuyama. It became a pioneer of the Karasuyama Teramachi, and the surrounding area gradually took shape as a temple town. In 2008 its guest hall, relocated from the residence of the Nabeshima family of the former Hasunoike domain, was designated a Tangible Cultural Property of Setagaya Ward.

Map

35.6793, 139.5941 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Head to Karasuyama Teramachi from the nearest Keio Line station
2. 2Pass through the gate of Myoju-ji and pay your respects in the grounds
3. 3Admire the architecture of the former Nabeshima residence guest hall
4. 4Wander the district, visiting other temples of the temple town

Did you know?

💡 The guest hall was moved here from the residence of a feudal lord of the former Hasunoike domain, a branch domain of the Nabeshima family in present-day Saga Prefecture, and it conveys the character of a samurai residence rather than typical temple architecture. Myoju-ji is essential to understanding how the Karasuyama Teramachi came to be, and it embodies the history of Tokyo's temple relocations after the Great Kanto Earthquake.

Nearby spots