Ekoin Temple
Ekoin Temple
3.5
Full view
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
10,000 within 3 miles
Attractions
5,526 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
3.5
142 reviews
Excellent
19
Very good
62
Average
56
Poor
4
Terrible
1
Yummyformytummy
Washington DC10 contributions
Sep 2013 • Solo
In Japan when disasters occurred, it was not common to enshrine all the victims. Criminals or untouchables were not enshrined even if they were lost. However, after the great Edo Fire of 1657, a temple was created to honor all victims. This probably was controversial at the time, but a huge step forward. There is only one small English placard that explains the history of the temple and the building is quite standard. However, its significance is worth a visit or stop by.
Written September 13, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Seidenpriester
Luebeck, Germany324 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
From a tourist standpoint this temple is a "visit it, if your are in the area". The temple is nothing you need to consider strongly in your travels plans. But the temple is important to sumo. So if you are in Ryogoku, you should invest a few minutes for a visit.
Written July 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tomizuta1953
Funabashi, Japan1,194 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
We visited this Buddhist Temple of the Joudo sect, located only a couple of minutes' walk south from JR Ryougoku Station. Fires were frequent in Edo because of the crammed wooden buildings. There was a large fire in 1657, where sixty percent of Edo went into flames and more than a hundred thousand lost their lives most of whom were unidentified. Shougun Ietsuna held a large Buddhist service to bury and pray for the deceased. Ekouin was founded on this site. Since then the temple continued to bury victims of natural disasters, those without relatives and executed criminals without discrimination. The temple also buries and prays for cats, dogs, military horses and other animals. Ekouin also used to host sumo tournaments on this site. The first bout took place in 1768, and from 1833 a semi-annual regular tournament was held until 1909 when the first Ryougoku Kokugikan (National Sports Hall) was built on the temple premises. A monument stands by the main entrance gate to Ekouin. In the temple grounds, there are many monuments and graves to observe. First, there is the Chikarazuka. This is a monument erected by Japan Sumo Association (JSA) in 1936 in remembrance of the toshiyoris or more commonly oyakatas of the JSA. Toshiyori is a job position in the association that takes care of a sumo stable. Currently, there are more than forty such stables. Amidst the various monuments related to natural and maritime disasters, there is a relatively new monument built in 2002 with a statue of the benevolent Kanzeon-bosatsu to pray for all creatures. The statue is introduced in the opening page of Ekouin’s website, titled “the temple that, through history was always by the side of common folk.” I was interested to learn that Ekouin houses some graves of prominent people from the Edo era including Gidayuu Takemoto (1651-1714), the founder of the Gidayuu style of chanted narration of the puppet theater “jouruli,” one of the three Japanese classic theaters alongside Noh and Kabuki. Another grave that attracts many visitors is that of Nezumi Kozou Jiroukichi (1797-1832). He was a thief and specialized in breaking into the residences of high-ranking feudal lords. He was given the name Nezumi Kozou (small mouse man) for his many break-ins and escapes. After his execution he gained an image similar to Robin Hood, robbing the rich and giving to the poor, and became a popular character in Japanese novels and Kabuki. Because he was a famous escapist, many come to his grave to pray for good luck. A good place to visit with some background knowledge.
Written July 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
brixtontrev
United Kingdom1,747 contributions
Sep 2015 • Friends
Sumo is still remembered at Ekō-in where there is a Chikarazuka (Mound of Strength) in remembrance of historical Sumo and where apprentice Sumo come to pray for success. The characters on the Chikarazuka stone read ‘Rikishi’. The upkeep of the mound and its enclosure is sponsored by various Sumo Beya (stables). Ekō-in held its first Sumo tournament in 1768 and was adopted as the National Sumo venue from 1833-1909 after which they were held in the first Ryogoku Kokugikan building constructed in the temple precincts from 1909-1985.There is also memorial and placard is to the 100,000 people who perished in the Great Fire of 1675, which according to legend was started when a priest tried to burn a cursed Kimono. It is the location of the grave of Nezumi Kozō (Rat Boy or Rat Burglar) a Japanese thief and folk hero who lived in Edo (present-day Tokyo) during the Edo period. (from wiki) - In 1822, he was caught and tattooed, and banished from Edo. On August 8, 1831, he was captured again, and confessed to the burglary of over 100 samurai estates and the impressive theft of over 30,000 ryō throughout his 15-year career. He was tied to a horse and paraded in public before being beheaded at the Suzugamori execution grounds. His head was then publicly displayed on a stake. He was buried at Ekō-in. So many people rub the original tombstone that its been worn away so another (the larger one at the back) has been constructed. He is the subject of two Kabuki plays, the original by the playwright Kawatake Mokuami. Eko-in is south of Ryogoku Station on the Tokyo Metro
Written October 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Magsy31
Boston, MA26 contributions
*English-speaking monks *Excellent wifi *Good food *Interesting activities: temple service, meditation, arranged shiatsu massage, guided evening visit to cemetery. *Very pretty accommodations. *Across from a nice Japanese coffee shop
Written May 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Glen1956
Adachi, Japan8 contributions
Nov 2020 • Friends
My cat passed away and took her to this temple.She was cremated the next day. If you live in Tokyo,this a nice place to say good bye. This helped me to deal with my cats death. I recommend it heartily. 😿
Written November 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Perfect-Chaos-007
Daejeon, South Korea88 contributions
Nov 2018 • Solo
Interesting buildings as they are ultra modern but still have the old stones and trees of yesteryears.
There’s also family cemetery around the left that is somewhat interesting.
Not sure if it’s a good sightseeing site but interesting and peaceful nevertheless.
There’s also family cemetery around the left that is somewhat interesting.
Not sure if it’s a good sightseeing site but interesting and peaceful nevertheless.
Written November 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Keizo
Kawasaki, Japan1,569 contributions
Aug 2017 • Solo
You can walk to this temple from Ryogoku Station in 10 minutes. When I came here the last time, It was raining at night so cound not see anything. This time I could find Tomb of Nezumi Kozo(rat boy) ,famous theif during the edo period who is believed to have stolen money from Feudal lords and given to poor people though there is no supporting documents. This temple was built in Edo area for the people died during the big fire and so has no particular Buddhism sect to which it belongs. Nextdoor to this temple, there used to be an old Kokugikan before New Kokugikan was built and a mark of wrestling ground can be seen in the public space of the building built instead.
Written August 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oldjack
Greater Melbourne, Australia27,721 contributions
Jan 2017 • Solo
This was an impressive temple and grave yard and it must have significant history although no English was evident within the grounds.It is two blocks from the Sumo Stadium and beyond the Ryogoku Station(JR).
Written February 1, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingEkoin Temple, Sumida
Frequently Asked Questions about Ekoin Temple
- Hotels near Ekoin Temple:
- (0.13 mi) Ryogoku View Hotel
- (0.12 mi) Upper Hotel Ryogoku
- (0.13 mi) Ryogoku River Hotel
- (0.19 mi) Ryogoku Pearl Hotel
- (0.52 mi) MONday Apart Premium Akihabara-Asakusabashi-station
- Restaurants near Ekoin Temple:
- (0.09 mi) Chanko Tomoegata
- (0.11 mi) Popeye Beer Club
- (0.06 mi) Sumochaya Terao
- (0.06 mi) Hakata Ramen Gatsun Ryogoku
- (0.06 mi) Chanko Ouchi
Ekoin Temple Information
Excellent Reviews | 19 |
|---|---|
Very Good Reviews | 62 |
Ekoin Temple Photos | 339 |