Gokokuji Temple
Bunkyo, Tokyo
- Daily
- 10:00 to 12:00, 13:00 to 16:00
Hours are for visiting the main hall, which closes from 12:00 to 13:00 and can close for ceremonies.
Source: gokokuji.or.jp, checked 5 Oct 2026.
Gokokuji is a Shingon Buddhist temple founded in 1681 by the fifth shogun for his mother, and its 1697 main hall came through the 1923 earthquake and the WWII bombing unchanged, which makes it one of the oldest wooden buildings in the city.
More photos of Gokokuji Temple
Insider tip
One of the few places in Tokyo where you can stand inside a 17th-century hall. It's usually nearly empty, so take your time in the grounds. The main hall is closed to visitors for a ceremony in mid to late October 2026, so check the temple's notices first.
What's on near Gokokuji Temple
Upcoming events within a ten-minute walk of Gokokuji Temple, from the weekly Tokyo events calendar.
Hakuin World: the beginning of Hosokawa Moritatsu's collection
秋季展 白隠ワールド－細川護立コレクションのはじまり－
Time Works change between parts (first part to 3 Nov) Station Waseda (Toden Arakawa Line), 10 min walk; Edogawabashi (Yurakucho Line), 15 min walk
Zen paintings and calligraphy by Hakuin from Hosokawa Moritatsu's collection, the first joint show with Waseda's Aizu Yaichi Museum a short walk away, which shows his other Zen works.
Four Generations of the Hosokawa Family (provisional title)
細川家四代展（仮）
Station Waseda (Toden Arakawa Line), 10 min walk
An early-spring exhibition on the Hosokawa lords, who ran the Kumamoto domain and were known for their love of poetry, noh, tea and painting. Hosokawa Moritatsu, the 16th head, collected swords, Zen painting and Asian art and founded the Eisei Bunko in 1950.
Firefly Evenings at Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo (Hotaru no Yube)
ホテル椿山荘東京 ほたるの夕べ
Time Evening, best after about 19:30 Station Edogawabashi (Yurakucho Line), about 10 min walk
Fireflies are released in the hotel's garden each early summer, a viewing tradition that began in 1954, with the best viewing in the dark after about 19:30.
Smaller local events nearby
Gokokuji main hall special opening Exhibition
Sun 1 Nov, Mon 2 Nov, Tue 3 Nov · Gokokuji, Otsuka
A special opening of the main hall of Gokokuji.
10:00 to 16:00 (closed about an hour from 12:00) · Map · Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Government (Edo Tokyo Campaign) · 護国寺本堂特別公開
Nearby
Around Bunkyo
Bunkyo has 4 places on the Roam Tokyo map: 1 park or garden, 1 viewpoint, 1 shrine or temple and 1 bathhouse.
Good to know
- What is the address of Gokokuji Temple?
- 5-40-1 Otsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo (in Japanese: 東京都文京区大塚5-40-1).
- What are the opening hours of Gokokuji Temple?
- Daily 10:00 to 12:00, 13:00 to 16:00. Hours are for visiting the main hall, which closes from 12:00 to 13:00 and can close for ceremonies.
- How do I get to Gokokuji Temple?
- The nearest station is Gokokuji (Yurakucho Line). Gokokuji Temple is in Bunkyo, Tokyo.
- How much does Gokokuji Temple cost?
- Nothing. Gokokuji Temple is free to visit.
- How long do you need at Gokokuji Temple?
- Plan for 30 min.
- When is the best time to visit Gokokuji Temple?
- Early morning for incense and quiet.
Stay near Gokokuji Temple
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