My Favorites

My Tokyo Guide

See something interesting? Click on the heart button in the article to add a page from this site to My Favorites.

Main content starts here.

Updated: December 14, 2023

Taishakuten 帝釈天 題経寺

7-10-3 Shibamata, Katsushika City, Tokyo

A temple at the heart of the town, with spectacular carvings and strolling gardens

This beautiful Buddhist temple is the heart of Shibamata. At the end of the main shopping street, the ornately carved Nitenmon Gate, built in 1896, welcomes visitors to the Shibamata Taishakuten temple grounds. The temple was established in 1629 and the current structure, built in 1929, managed to escape the WWII bombings.

Tips

  • The intricate wooden carvings of the life and teachings of Buddha, over two levels
  • Stroll the inner gardens and enjoy complimentary tea

It’s definitely worth taking off your shoes and paying the 400 yen entrance fee to see the Buddhist carvings and tour the inner gardens. The carved wooden panels covering the naiden or inner sanctuary, depict aspects of Buddha’s life and teachings. The sense of detail and expressions on the faces are extraordinary. The carvings were completed between 1915 and 1929 by several artists, some of whom lived locally. Don’t miss the fierce dragons supporting the structure, on the lower level. The inner sanctuary and its carvings are climate-controlled and protected from the elements by glass, making it comfortable to visit in all seasons.

Cross a covered, elevated walkway and you’ll come to a beautiful garden, attached to the temple guesthouse. You can see traditional tatami rooms decorated with a mix of Japanese and Western art and furniture and enjoy hot or cold drinks before you enter the classical Japanese gardens. These are enclosed by a covered walkway, so that you can enjoy the scenery during all types of weather. From here you can return to the front of the temple, or take the back exit which leads to the Yamamoto-tei historic house and the Katsushika Shibamata Tora-san Museum.

How to Get There

  • Shibamata StationKeisei Line3 min on foot

Contact

Your current location:

Opening Hours

  • 9:00-18:00
    MondaysTuesdaysWednesdaysThursdaysFridaysSaturdaysSundaysHolidays

    9:00-16:00
    MondaysTuesdaysWednesdaysThursdaysFridaysSaturdaysSundaysHolidays

    *Varies by floor, store, and/or facility
    *Changes depending on the season and/or time period

Price

General admission: 400 yen

Cash

Varies per establishment

Facility Info

  • Parking
  • JapaneseEnglish

For updated information on opening hours, closings, prices, and more, please check the official website or ask the facility directly.