Jindaiji Temple
Jindaiji Temple is a venerable Buddhist sanctuary surrounded by a lush, protective forest and blessed with natural streams. Through the changing seasons, visitors are greeted by the splendor of nature: the delicate bloom of cherry blossoms and verdant foliage in spring, the shimmering sight of fireflies in summer, the captivating colors of the falling autumn leaves, and the winter celebration of the Soba Festival.
The temple's origins date back to 733, when the venerable monk Mankhoo Shonin built this sacred institution. The temple's name, "Jindaiji," pays homage to Jinja Daioh, the god of water and a character in the classic Chinese story "Journey to the West."
The enduring Main Gate, erected in 1695, proudly remains the oldest surviving structure within the temple grounds, having withstood the ravages of a fire that engulfed other buildings in 1865. Adjacent to it, the revered Bell Tower, with its current bell cast in 2001 to replace the ancient 1376 bell, proudly stands as an Important Cultural Property, its resonating chime echoing across generations.
Jindaiji Temple's Main Hall, meticulously reconstructed in 1919 after succumbing to fires in 1646 and 1865, reverently enshrines the serene statue of Amida Nyorai (Buddha). Within the hallowed walls of the mystical Ganzandaishi Hall resides Ganzandaishi, a legendary figure famed for his supposed ability to dispel misfortune. Among the temple's prized possessions rests the enigmatic Hakuhoh Buddha statue, a national treasure discovered in 1909.
Address: 5-15-1 Jindaijimotomachi, Chofu-City, Tokyo, 182-0017, Japan
Phone: 042-486-5511
Website: https://www.jindaiji.or.jp/en/
