Temples and shrines

Within Tokyo are various place-names that contain colors. In addition to Mejiro (meaning“white eye”) and Meguro (black eye), there are names that contain the words aka (red), ao (blue), and ki (yellow). Of the Goshiki Fudo (“five-colored fudo temples”), Saisho-ji Temple is commonly known as Meao Fudo (blue eye fudo temple). It is a temple surrounded by deep greenery and tranquility.

Address: 4-15-1 Taishido, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
Access: Four-minute walk from Nishi-taishidō Station

It is said that this temple was established by Kira Masatada, the lord of Setagaya Castle, in 1480. The manekineko (beckoning cat) is celebrated here as a lucky charm. This comes from a legend that says that Ii Naotaka, the second daimyo of Hikone, escaped a thunderstorm when a cat at Gotoku-ji beckoned him into the temple with its paw. In the southwest section of the temple’s grounds is the grave of the Ii family. It is designated a national historic site together with the Ii family grave at Seiryo-ji Temple in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture.

Address: 2-24-7 Gotokuji, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
Temple gates are open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from spring to autumn and 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from autumn to spring.
Access: Three-minute walk from Miyanosaka Station