Koganji Temple

Koganji Temple is also known as “Togenuki Jizou.” There exists an old legend that someone who swallowed a needle ate a piece of paper from Koganji Temple, and when the needle pierced the paper they were able to safely vomit it out. This legend has led to people sticking small paper amulets with an image of Kshitigarbha on it onto wounds, and even stories of people eating the paper when they have a bone stuck in their throat and being cured. Furthermore, many people visit the temple for its “Arai Kannon,” a statue of Kannon that’s said to wash away ailments if you pour water on, and then polish with a cloth, the same part of the statue as the afflicted area.
In front of the temple is “Sugamo Jizodori Shopping Street,” also known as the “Harajuku for old ladies,” where you can pick up items like Japanese sweets and retro Japanese products.