If you climb to the top of the Tokyo Tower (and I recommend that you do!) then far beneath your feet, it’s likely that you’ll spot an impressive and imposing temple. This is the Zojo-Ji Temple, and it’s only around a 5 minute walk from the Tokyo Tower, so well worth exploring as part of your visit.

The Zojo-Ji temple is a historic Jōdo-shū Buddhist temple that was founded in 1393, but not on its current site: It was actually relocated to its current site in 1598.  It’s the head temple of the Jodo sect of Japanese Buddhism in the Kanto region.

What makes this temple a ‘must visit’ (for me at least) is the way it looks juxtaposed against the modern Tokyo Tower. This is a photograph worth walking for! And the contrast between modern and ancient Tokyo, and how the city’s modern and ancient structures sit in harmony alongside each other, is one of my favourite things about Tokyo.

As an added bonus, the Zojo-Ji temple is rarely crowded or overwhelming. We visited the Senso-Ji temple and felt crammed in like sardines (you can read about our visit to the Senjo-Ji temple here) but there were only around half a dozen groups exploring the Zojo-Ji temple when we visited.

Thinking about visiting the Zojo-Ji temple with your kids? Here’s everything you need to know:

Heads up! This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click and make a purchase, I might earn a very small commission – at no extra cost to you. This helps to keep the blog going. Thanks for the support!

A Brief History of Zojo-Ji Temple

As I already mentioned, Zojo-Ji was founded in 1393, but unlike other public temples in Tokyo, this became the family temple of the Tokugawa shoguns. These were the most powerful rulers in Japan during the Edo Period.

What you see when you visit now isn’t actually original. A lot of the temple was destroyed during the Second World War. But you probably wouldn’t be able to tell, as the Zojo-Ji temple has been beautifully reconstructed and the traditional wooden architecture was replicated.

If you can, arrive at the temple by walking through the impressive Sangdatsumon Gate. This is the main gate into the temple and it was built in 1622, making it one of the oldest wooden structures in Tokyo. Unfortunately, this gate was closed due to maintenance work when we visited, so we couldn’t do this, but it should be reopened now.

Planning a Family Trip to Japan?
Make it stress-free, affordable, and unforgettable with my 40-page Japan Family Travel eBook.
🚄 Includes sample itineraries, budgeting tips, kid-friendly activities, and packing checklists.
👉 Grab Your Copy Here

It’s also worth noting that the Tokugawa Mausoleum is part of the Zojo-Ji Temple. This is where six shoguns from the Tokugawa family are buried. The views from here are beautiful, and the mausoleum is surrounded by very pretty gardens too.

Family-Friendly Things to See and Do at Zojo-Ji Temple

As I’ve already mentioned, I recommend starting your visit by walking through the Sangedatsumon Gate. This is NOT the entrance to the Zojo-Ji Temple that’s closest to the Tokyo Tower, but it’s worth walking that extra couple of minutes for. My boys were so excited to see this and to walk throughsomething that’s survived 400 years (this gate is older than many countries!) and were gutted when we found it closed. We will go back to see it on our next trip to Japan.

Another thing I think kids will enjoy is visiting the Garden of Jizo Statues. These are small, brightly decorated statuews with little hats and pinwheels. It looks so colourful, but it’s actually a place dedicated to children and lost infants. Poignant but peaceful, it’s a great place to introduce concepts of rememberance and different cultural approaches to death and memory with kids.

My boys highlight of the Zojo-Ji Temple was the amazing views we got of the Tokyo Tower: climb up to the temple’s Main Hall terrace, and these are the best views you can get of the tower anywhere int he city!

Go into the Main Hall of the temple after this: access to this is free, there are chairs inside, and it’s surprisingly opulent with gold statues and architecture. We sat on the chairs for a few minutes to smell the incense and listen to the chanting monks. I found the atmosphere this created incredibly moving: If you want to really immerse your kids in a new culture, this is the place to be.

Finally, although the temple itself is a quiet and reflective space, it’s worth noting that it’s surrounded by small gardens, one of which has a little cafe. This is a great place to stop if your kids need a break or to let off some steam. We stopped here for an ice cream, and my boys were glad to sit and rest their legs. But there were children younger than ours laughing and playing, running up and down the little paths.

Practical Tips For Visiting Zojo-Ji Temple

Now to get into the boring, but essential practical details. Save these for later to make your trip to the Zojo-Ji temple run as smoothly as possible!

⏰ Opening Times: The grounds open all day, but the main temple and the museum are open from 9.00am – 5.00pm.
📍 Location: 4-7-35 Shibakoen, Minato City, Tokyo
🎫 Admission Charge: Free
🚆 Getting There: It’s an easy walk from the Tokyo Tower, but on public transpot the Zojo-Ji temple is a 5 minute walk from Onarimon or Daimon Stations (on the Toei Line) or a 10 minute walk from the Hamamatsucho JR station.
🌞 Best Time To Visit: We visited in the mid-afternoon and were surprised how quiet it was! If we were to go back, I would visit in the early morning or just after sunset to get better lighting for photos!

✨ TOP TIP: Combine your temple visit with a visit to the Tokyo Tower! You can book a Tokyo Tower combo ticket through Klook – the tower is right next door. Use code THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK to get a 5% discount on your Tokyo Tower tickets

Is The Zojo-Ji Temple Worth Visiting?

Zojo-Ji might not be the flashiest or the most famous Tokyo temple, but it’s still one that’s well worth visiting in my opinion. It’s quiet, it’s beautiful in its own right, and the juxtaposition of the temple building against the Tokyo Tower makes it iconic.

The boys loved the opportunity it provided to get some peace and tranquility, even in the heart of the city. It’s a reminder that it doesn’t matter how busy (and sometimes crazy) Tokyo is, its rich history and some moments of peace are only a few steps away.

Final Thoughts And Further Reading

Japan is a country packed full of beautiful shrines and temples, and these are like catnip to me: If I see one, I just can’t resist ducking in! They feel sacred, calm, and peaceful. They’re also packed full of history and wildly photogenic: The good news is, I think the kids love exploring them as muhc as I do.

Here are some of our other Japanese shrine and temple reviews, to help you decide which ones to visit on your next trip to Japan:

🍡Top Tips For Visiting The Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto
🕍 Visiting The Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo With Kids. A Fascinating History Lesson!

WANT MORE POSTS LIKE THIS STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX? HIT SUBSCRIBE BELOW

✓ Subscribed

Heads up! This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click and make a purchase, I might earn a very small commission – at no extra cost to you. This helps to keep the blog going. Thanks for the support!