Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple | Review by Holly

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Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple

A temple of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji Sect, characterized by its oriental-inspired exterior.

21 Sep 2026 See More

Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple was originally just a place I planned to stop by on my way to Tsukiji Market, but after seeing it in person, its architecture ended up leaving a deep impression on me. The current main hall was designed by architectural historian Chuta Ito, and its exterior has a strong Indian and South Asian Buddhist architectural style. The dome, stonework, and overall silhouette are completely different from what you would normally picture as a Japanese temple.

But what is really interesting is that when you get closer, you notice that it still retains much of the refinement distinctive to Japanese architecture. The animal carvings, decorative details, stained glass, and interior furnishings do not simply copy an Indian style. They incorporate a lot of Japanese aesthetics and craftsmanship, so the building looks very foreign overall, yet very Japanese when viewed closely. This kind of blend is truly uncommon among Japanese temples.

There is also a large pipe organ inside the main hall, which is quite unusual in a Buddhist temple. Unfortunately, photography is prohibited in the worship area. Otherwise, the contrast between the interior and exterior would be even more striking, since the inside of the main hall looks much like many other Hongwanji temples.

The Tsumugi cafe next to Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple is also well known, and its signature offering is the “18-Dish Breakfast,” which lets you try a variety of small Japanese dishes at once. I did not pay much attention to the breakfast hours this time, which was a bit of a shame. If you are planning to continue on to Tsukiji Market for food afterward, I would recommend watching how much you eat, or you may end up full before you even explore the market.

Other Reviews by Holly

Osu Kannon Temple

This temple is the branch headquarters of Shingon Sect, Chisan School, officially called “Kitanosan Shinpukuji Hoshoin Temple ”. It started in Hashima City, Gifu and moved to the current location by General Tokugawa Iyeyasu’s order. It is regarded as one of Japan’s Three Kannon Temples along with Asakusa Kannon in Tokyo and Tsu Kannon in Mie.
- Nagoya
- Shrines & Temples
20 Sep 2026 See More

Osu Kannon Temple itself is well worth exploring carefully. Its vermilion main hall is quite striking, and the temple grounds feel more lively and down-to-earth than I had expected, without an overly formal sense of distance. The temple enshrines Kannon Bodhisattva and is one of Nagoya’s most prominent temples devoted to Kannon worship. What impressed me most during my visit was actually the large number of pigeons on the grounds. They often fight over food in front of the main hall, and it can be a little scary when a large flock takes off at once. They are not particularly aggressive, but you should still be careful if you feed them.

Like Sensoji Temple, this temple is often said to be a place where it is relatively easy to draw a bad-luck fortune. Fortunately, I have visited several times and have always drawn good luck, so I am quite grateful for Kannon’s care. In addition to the main hall, the grounds also include a bell tower, Niomon Gate, and purification pavilion. The amulets and other items available here are also distinctive.

Near the bell tower, there is also a mechanical puppet display called “Muneharu Ranman,” which performs automatically every day at 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00, and 18:30. It is themed around Tokugawa Muneharu, lord of the Owari Domain. If you are interested, you can time your visit to see it.
Kurashiki Denim Street

Kurashiki Denim Street is a specialty spot for denim from Kojima, Kurashiki City, known as the birthplace of Japanese-made jeans. It offers a wide range of denim products, including Kojima-made jeans, bags, accessories, and interior goods, with easy-to-shop sections for men, women & kids, and miscellaneous goods. One of its charms is being able to casually experience “Kurashiki denim” while comparing differences in texture and finish.
- Okayama
- Miscellaneous Goods
13 Sep 2026 See More

Kurashiki Denim Street is located in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter. I had seen it featured on a Japanese TV show before, and it is best known for its blue “denim buns” and “denim soft-serve ice cream.” But after seeing the actual color, I suddenly lost my appetite and decided not to try them after all.

Although it is called “Denim Street,” it is actually more like a small alley-style shopping area with denim products from brands based in Kojima. Everything throughout the area, from the signs and decorations to the merchandise, uses a lot of blue, making it stand out sharply amid the white walls and black roof tiles of the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter.

What is interesting about this place is that it is not just a “blue photo spot.” It is genuinely connected to Kurashiki’s local industries. Kojima in particular has a long history of developing textile- and denim-related industries and is also an important birthplace of domestically produced Japanese jeans. So the abundance of denim elements in Kurashiki is not a forced tourism theme, but part of the local industry.

Once, while riding the train, I happened to see high school students heading home from school, and their uniform jackets had a denim-like look. That was something I never could have imagined when I was a student. It was really unique to see the local industry blend so naturally into everyday life.

If your itinerary does not leave enough time for a separate trip to Kojima, Kurashiki Denim Street is a good alternative for a simple introduction to denim culture. People interested in jeans, canvas, and fabric products will find more to browse. Even for general tourists, it can be treated as a small, highly distinctive spot within the Bikan Historical Quarter.

As a side note, the public restroom near the back of Denim Street is also very nicely designed and blends harmoniously with the surrounding scenery. Even small details like this make it clear that Kurashiki puts a lot of care into its tourist spaces.
Shoren-in Monzeki Temple

One of the head temples of the Tendai sect, this temple has long-standing ties to the Imperial family. Its principal image is the Shijoko Nyorai Mandala, and it houses the National Treasure Ao Fudo Myoo, one of Japan’s three great Fudo Myoo statues. It began as a residence for monks of Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei, and was once home to eminent monks including Saicho and Ennin. A monzeki temple is a temple where members of the Imperial family or court nobility served as head priest.
- Gion, Higashiyama, Yamashina
- Shrines & Temples
13 Sep 2026 See More

If you want to collect goshuin at Shoren-in Monzeki Temple, I would personally recommend visiting during the day. During special nighttime viewings, the goshuin available at the temple office are more likely to be prewritten. If you want one written for you on the spot, you have a better chance during the day.

The nighttime illumination is certainly beautiful, and the garden and buildings take on a very quiet, mysterious atmosphere under the dim lighting. However, the drawback is also obvious: many of the architectural details are difficult to see. If your main purpose is to appreciate Shoren-in itself, including its temple buildings, painted sliding panels, and gardens, I would actually recommend visiting during the day.

In addition to Kachoden Hall, Kogosho, the Main Hall, and Shinden Hall, Shoren-in’s grounds include a strolling pond garden centered on Ryujin Pond, traditionally said to have been designed by Soami. There is also the Kirishima Garden, which is traditionally associated with Kobori Enshu. These are all better appreciated slowly during the day, especially the details of the gardens, the proportions of the buildings, and the borrowed scenery, much of which is lost under the nighttime lighting.

Special nighttime viewings also usually cost a little more than regular daytime admission, so unless you are visiting specifically for the illumination, I personally think the overall value is better during the day. Of course, if you really enjoy the quiet and slightly mysterious atmosphere of temples at night, Shoren-in’s illumination is still worth experiencing once.

At the time, I did not have enough photography experience, and looking back now, I feel like I did not make the most of the illumination that evening. Shoren-in’s nighttime lighting is dim to begin with. In many areas, instead of lighting up an entire building, it uses localized lighting to create atmosphere. So if you want to take photos, it is best to prepare a camera or phone with good low-light capabilities. If there is not even much moonlight that day, the demands on your equipment and your ability to hold it steady will be even greater.