Togo-ji Temple

In short

Togo-ji Temple is a temple of the Nichiren sect located in Shimizugaoka, Fuchu City, with Togo Heihachiro as its founder. It was built after his death on the site of the villa of Fleet Admiral Togo Heihachiro, which once stood in this town. Its powerful, massive sanmon gate is said to have served as the model for Director Kurosawa Akira's film Rashomon.

• ​Large Sanmon Gate​​: A magnificent and gigantic gate standing atop a stone wall, designated as a Tokyo Metropolitan Selected Historical Building in fiscal year 2010.
• ​Weeping Cherry Blossoms at the Sanmon Gate​​: In spring, the area around the sanmon gate is enveloped in weeping cherry blossoms. They are counted among Fuchu City's Top 100 Famous Trees.
• ​Visits Limited to the Sanmon Gate​​: Visitors are only permitted to tour up to the sanmon gate. Please visit with moderation and respect.

History and Highlights

​Togo-ji Temple​ is a temple of the Nichiren sect located in Shimizugaoka, Fuchu City. Togo Heihachiro, a Japanese naval officer, is revered as its founder (kaiki). Before World War II, Fleet Admiral Togo Heihachiro's villa was located in this town. Following the admiral's death, Togo-ji Temple was built on that site.

The spacious grounds are lined with structures such as the main hall and guest hall. Among them, the sanmon gate standing on the eastern side of the grounds is a magnificent and gigantic gate. It was designated as a Tokyo Metropolitan Selected Historical Building in fiscal year 2010.

A cinematic story is told about this sanmon gate. It is said to have served as the model for Rashomon, the masterpiece directed by Kurosawa Akira that won acclaim abroad at events such as the Venice Film Festival. It is also said to have served as the model for Beauty and the Thieves, a later film by a different director.

The town's name, "Shimizugaoka" (Spring Water Hill), also has an origin. The Fuchu cliff line runs east to west through this area, and there were locations where water welled up until recent years. In 1959, the name was decided by unanimous agreement of the residents to signify a clean town where pure spring water flows.

Viewing and Experience Highlights

• ​Sanmon Gate atop the Stone Wall​​: The sanmon gate stands on a stone wall. Standing in front of the gate, visitors are overwhelmed by its immense size.
• ​Weeping Cherry Blossoms at the Sanmon Gate​​: In spring, the area around the sanmon gate is enveloped in weeping cherry blossoms. It is said that saplings were transplanted from Kuon-ji Temple, the head temple of the Nichiren sect, when Togo-ji Temple was built. There are 5 trees, and their usual peak blooming period is considered to be from late March to early April.
• ​Trees in the Top 100 Famous Trees​​: The weeping cherry blossom tree on the right side of the approach path has been selected as one of Fuchu City's Top 100 Famous Trees. The Japanese maple (irohamomiji) is also one of the Top 100 Famous Trees. In addition to the cherry blossoms, try looking for the maple tree as well.

Tips for Exploring

The temple is a 7-minute walk from Tama-Reien Station on the Keio Line. Public visits are allowed only up to the sanmon gate, and notices request that visitors refrain from any behavior that would inconvenience temple staff and associates.

In Fuchu City's walking guide, the route goes down the stairs from the path above the cliff at Taki-jinja Shrine, passes through Shimizugaoka Green Space, and heads toward the sanmon gate of Togo-ji Temple. Afterwards, it descends to the Togo-jishita intersection and returns to Ikiki-no-Michi. Ikiki-no-Michi is also called "Ikadamichi" (Raft Road). The name originates from the rafters operating timber rafts on the upper Tama River who walked back and forth on this path on their return from Edo.

The Kokufu Site Course of Fuchu City's mini-tour of city sights also visits the sanmon gate of Togo-ji Temple via the Musashi Kokufu Site, Fumon-ji Temple, Kokufu Hachimangu Shrine, Ikiki-no-Michi, and Taki-jinja Shrine. Tokyo Racecourse is about 1.3 kilometers to the west.