Itabashi: From Joren-ji Temple's Tokyo Daibutsu to Akatsuka's Museums

This walking course heads north to pray before the Tokyo Daibutsu at Joren-ji Temple in Akatsuka, Itabashi Ward, and then visit the Itabashi Art Museum and the Itabashi City Local History Museum, both built near the Akatsuka Castle Ruins.

History and Local Charm

Akatsuka is land that was ruled by the Musashi Chiba clan from the mid-15th century. Akatsuka-go became the territory of the Chiba clan, who had fled to seek the protection of the Ogigayatsu Uesugi clan; Chiba Sanetane entered Akatsuka-go, succeeded later by Chiba Yoritane. Akatsuka Castle was the castle where Chiba Yoritane made his residence. Joren-ji Temple was relocated to the site of its ninomaru (second bailey) over a period of seven years beginning in 1971. In the Edo period, Joren-ji Temple was located in Nakajuku within Itabashi-shuku on the Nakasendo, but because its grounds were halved due to events such as the widening of National Route 17, it moved to this location. The area around the castle ruins was developed as the "Forest of Education and Culture," and within it, in 1979, the first municipal art museum among Tokyo's 23 special wards opened. On these medieval castle grounds, a temple, art museum, and local history museum gather together, allowing visitors to encounter the history of Akatsuka and the culture of Itabashi just by walking a short distance.

Key Highlights

• ​Joren-ji Temple​​: A Jodo-shu Buddhist temple known for the Tokyo Daibutsu on its grounds. This bronze Amida Nyorai was consecrated in 1977; its height from the base is 13 meters, and it weighs 32 tons. Initiated by a vow of the head priest of the time, who had experienced the Great Kanto Earthquake and the Bombing of Tokyo, it embodies memorial prayers for the victims and wishes that natural disasters and war devastation may never happen again.
• ​Itabashi Art Museum​​: An art museum whose collection centers on early modern paintings, starting with the Edo Kano school, as well as avant-garde art from the Taisho to early Showa periods. It is also well-known for its annual "Bologna Children's Book Fair Illustrators Exhibition." In the major renovation of 2019, the shape of the large tiled roof from when it originally opened was preserved.
• ​Itabashi City Local History Museum​​: A museum that introduces the history of Itabashi chronologically through physical artifacts. In its courtyard, the Former Tanaka Residence—a thatched-roof historic house considered to be a farmhouse building from the late Edo period—has been relocated, allowing visitors to experience an old home's living space featuring a kamado (cooking stove) and irori (sunken hearth).

Recommended Route and Duration

The estimated time required is about 3 hours. To reach Joren-ji Temple, it is a 20-minute walk from Nishi-Takashimadaira Station on the Toei Mita Line, or a 25-minute walk from Shimo-Akatsuka Station on the Tobu Tojo Line. First, pay your respects to the Tokyo Daibutsu and stroll the temple grounds, where you will find stone statues such as the "Patient Demon" (Gaman no Oni) and a memorial tower for the victims of the Tenpo Famine. Immediately south of the temple is the Akatsuka Botanical Garden. The Itabashi Art Museum is about 250 meters north of Joren-ji Temple. The building stands with the hill of the Akatsuka Castle Ruins behind it; look up at the large roof from the approach before entering the museum. Since there is no permanent exhibition room, it is reassuring to check which exhibition is being held before visiting. The Itabashi City Local History Museum is about 180 meters northwest of the art museum. After tracing the history of Itabashi in the exhibition gallery, take a look at the kamado and irori inside the Former Tanaka Residence in the courtyard. For the return journey, it is about a 13-minute walk from the local history museum to Nishi-Takashimadaira Station. Akatsuka Castle Ruins and Akatsuka Tameike Park are also right nearby, so you can walk to them as well.

Summary of the Experience

Stand before the Great Buddha, encounter Edo paintings at the foot of the castle ruin hill, and finally look into the sunken hearth of a thatched-roof historic farmhouse. It is a half-day stroll gently connecting the temple, art museum, and local history museum nestled beside the castle ruins.