What other travelers are saying about Sengakuji Temple
Sengaku-ji (泉岳寺) is a Sōtō Zen temple founded in 1612 by Tokugawa Ieyasu at the beginning of the Edo period. Originally located closer to Edo Castle, it was later relocated after a major fire to its present site in Minato, Tokyo. During the Edo era, the temple became one of the important Sōtō Zen centers in the city, attracting monks from across Japan for study and training. At that time, temples were not only religious institutions but also part of the social structure, supporting the stability of the shogunate through ritual and community functions.
Sengaku-ji is most widely known for its connection to the story of the Forty-Seven Rōnin. In 1701–1703, after avenging their lord Asano Naganori, the forty-seven masterless samurai came to this temple to present the head of their enemy before their lord’s grave. They did not flee. They surrendered peacefully, accepted their fate, and were later ordered to commit seppuku. Today, their graves remain within the temple grounds, making Sengaku-ji a place of remembrance for loyalty, responsibility, and the moral code of the samurai.
Throughout the Edo period, the temple also functioned within the danka system, where households were affiliated with temples for religious registration and funeral rites. With the Meiji Restoration and the separation of religion from state authority, temples gradually lost their political role and returned primarily to ceremonial and community functions. The original main hall of Sengaku-ji was destroyed during World War II and later rebuilt. Above its entrance hangs the phrase “Shishiku” (獅子吼), meaning “the lion’s roar,” symbolizing the unwavering voice of the Buddha’s teaching.
When I visited, the atmosphere was deeply quiet. The stone courtyard was wet from the rain, and the sound of footsteps echoed softly. The main hall doors were closed, without incense smoke or chanting filling the air. Rows of simple gravestones marked the resting place of the forty-seven rōnin. There was no dramatic display, no grand spectacle—only a steady, grounded stillness. It felt less like a tourist site and more like a place that carries its history quietly, without needing to explain itself.
Today, Sengaku-ji may not keep its main hall open at all times, nor does it present itself like the famous Zen temples of Kyoto. Yet that very simplicity reflects the spirit of Sōtō Zen: steadiness, humility, and practice without display. It is not only a historical site, but a living temple where history and Zen practice continue to coexist in silence.
Closing time is 16:00 but everything seems to close at 15:45, so allow some extra time, if you want to explore.
Yes, you can visit the graves of the 47 Ronin at Sengakuji Temple in Minato, Tokyo. The temple grounds are open to the public, and visitors can pay their respects at the gravesite of these legendary samurai.
Sengakuji is a Zen Buddhist temple founded in 1612 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. It is famous for being the burial site of the 47 Ronin, who avenged their lord Asano Naganori's death in a story of loyalty and honor that has become legendary in Japanese culture.
Yes, the story of the 47 Ronin is based on a true event known as the Ako Incident, which took place in the early 18th century. It tells the tale of a group of samurai who avenged their lord's forced suicide, demonstrating unwavering loyalty and honor.
In the traditional sense of masterless samurai wandering feudal Japan, Ronin no longer exists. The social and political structures that supported the samurai class have long since disappeared. However, the term can metaphorically describe someone who feels out of place in modern society.
The most famous Ronin is likely Miyamoto Musashi, a legendary swordsman, strategist, and author of "The Book of Five Rings." Musashi lived from 1584 to 1645 and became renowned for his duels and distinctive swordsmanship style. His life and writings have had a significant impact on Japanese martial arts and culture.
An interesting temple and burial site of the 47 Ronin (48). The site is very easy to get to from the subway Toei Line Sengakuji station, approx. 10 minute walk. The area around is ultra modern so it’s sort of cool to see such an ethereal place within this area. There is a large temple and then you the left you find the graves of the ronin. Entry was 300 yen which bought a bundle of incense stick and the idea is that you lacy a few stick on each grave. There is also a small shop selling souvenirs such as t- shirts or good luck charms. You can also write on a wooden block and hang it. 500 yen. I paid also for the museum quite small, but has original artefacts from the era. Entry included access to a separate museum of wooden carvings of the 47 ronin. If you loved the Keanu Reeves movie then I would definitely visit. Go early as around 11 bigger groups started to arrive. At 9:30 I was able to wander on my own.
Absolutely wonderful. The staff were all so friendly and helpful. I bought a small bamboo tray of burning incense for about ¥300 - enough to put 1 before each grave and more. There's a small museum (¥500) with a scroll written by the 47 and signed by all. The lovely lady in the ticket booth put on the explanatory video in English for me. There's also the rock where the ronin's lord had to commit seppuku and the well where they washed the head of the lord responsible for his death before placing it in front of his grave. I didn't take photos of the graves out of respect but there are plenty online. I was using a walker with a bad leg but there's a gentle paved ramp on the left of the stairs up to the graves.
Sengakuji Temple is a Zen-sect Buddhist temple in Takanawa of Minato-ku, Tokyo. Visitors can take Asakusa Line of Tokyo Metro to the Sengakuji Temple Station and will only need 3 to 4 minutes’ walk from Station to the Temple.
When I visited the Temple on December 14, 2025, Sunday, a raining day in AM, because it was the day for the Temple to hold its annual memorial service of the 47 ronin [although it has 48 graves for ronin], the Temple gave ceremony participants for entrance priority ahead of the other tourists who want to visit the graves for cultural site-seeing.
On the day of my visit, in addition to religious ceremony for special worshippers, there was also food fair which had about 40 food vendors which sells BBQ, ramen, and many types of fun dishes.
While visitors may want to see the ronin graves, the Temple itself does have very unique, old-fashion framed-style wood beam building structure.
The Temple is free of entrance, and there is free-access male and female toilets for visitors.
When i was researching things to do japan I found a temple of the 47 ronin.
I just got done watching the movie with
Keanu Reeves in a action/fantasy about the 47 Ronin. So I visited the temple very interesting history about the samurai. Besure to bring walking shoes and a good translation app on your phone unless you speak Japanese. My wife and I had a great time here at this temple there is also a narrated movie in the museum just ask for the English version.
