Tennō-ji Temple

What it is

• A Tendai Buddhist temple founded in 1274 originally known as Kanno-ji
• The temple enshrines Bishamonten and was once famous for government-authorized lotteries
• A significant site on the Yanaka Shifukujin pilgrimage route
• The grounds formerly included a five-story pagoda that was destroyed by arson in 1957

What to see

• A large copper statue of Shakyamuni Buddha cast in 1690
• Several tangible cultural properties designated by Taito City
• The adjacent Yanaka Cemetery which was originally part of the temple grounds

Getting there

• The temple is a two-minute walk from Nippori Station

Notes written by Japan Gems from facts in Japanese Wikipedia.