Ikegami Honmon-ji Temple

In short

Ikegami Honmon-ji Temple is a head temple of the Nichiren sect, built on the site where Nichiren Shonin passed away in 1282 at the age of 61. Standing on the grounds is the oldest extant five-story pagoda in the Kanto region, which survived the air raids of 1945 without burning down. Every year from October 11 to 13, the "Oeshiki" memorial service is held to commemorate Nichiren Shonin.

• ​Shikyonanjizaka​​: An approach consisting of a 96-step stone stairway, traditionally said to have been donated by Kato Kiyomasa.
• ​Five-Story Pagoda​​: Built in 1608, this pagoda stands about 29 meters high and is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
• ​Tahoto Pagoda​​: Standing on the site where Nichiren Shonin was cremated, this pagoda is also an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

History and Highlights

​Ikegami Honmon-ji Temple​ is a head temple of the Nichiren sect built on the sacred site where Nichiren Shonin passed away. On October 13, 1282, while on his way to the hot springs of Hitachi for medical treatment, Nichiren Shonin passed away at the age of 61 at the residence of Ikegami Munenaka, the local lord of this area. Afterwards, Munenaka donated the temple grounds, laying the foundation of the temple. The mountain name (honorific temple prefix) is Choeizan, which is said to have been bestowed by Nichiren Shonin with prayers that it would "prosper for a long time as a place of practice for the Lotus Sutra."

In the air raid of April 15, 1945, the temple lost many halls, including the Daido (Main Hall). Nevertheless, the five-story pagoda, Tahoto pagoda, sutra repository, and Somon gate survived without burning down. The current Daido is a reinforced concrete structure rebuilt in 1964, enshrining a statue of Nichiren Shonin inside.

The five-story pagoda was completed in 1608, commissioned by the wet nurse of the second shogun, Tokugawa Hidetada. It is the oldest extant five-story pagoda in the Kanto region, measuring about 29 meters in height, and is an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Deeper within the temple grounds stands the Tahoto pagoda, built on the site where Nichiren Shonin was cremated. With its framework raised in 1828, this pagoda is also an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

Highlights for Viewing and Experiencing

• ​Climbing Shikyonanjizaka​​: A temple approach of 96 stone steps. It is traditionally said to have been donated by Kato Kiyomasa, and tradition has it that you can climb it effortlessly if you chant sutras while going up.
• ​The Dragon on the Daido Ceiling​​: The ceiling painting of the Daido is a painting of a dragon commissioned to Kawabata Ryushi, a Japanese-style painter who lived in Ota Ward. Kawabata Ryushi passed away before seeing its completion. Because it is unfinished, it is difficult to distinguish as a dragon, but many people still visit to view it as Kawabata Ryushi's final work.
• ​Mando Procession of Oeshiki​​: Every year from October 11 to 13, the Oeshiki memorial service is held to remember Nichiren Shonin. On the night of the 12th, a procession carrying mando (lantern structures) advances through the town of Ikegami over a stretch of about 2 kilometers, and many people visit Ikegami Honmon-ji Temple.

Tips for Exploring

It is about a 10-minute walk from Ikegami Station on the Tokyu Ikegami Line. Located at the entrance to the grounds is the Somon gate. Once you finish climbing the stone steps of Shikyonanjizaka, you will find the Niomon gate, from which you enter the central temple compound. The doors of the Tahoto pagoda are opened only in the morning on the 12th and 13th during Oeshiki. From the graves of the successive chief priests (Rekidai Bosho) at the highest point, Mount Fuji can be seen to the west on clear days.

Ikegami Plum Garden is located about 330 meters to the northwest.