Shofuku-ji (Higashimurayama City)

Kamakura feudal government lasted from 1185 through 1333, and its ruler, Hojo Tokimune, is said to have opened this Rinzai Sect’s temple in 1278.

When Tokimune came hawking to Higashimurayama, he fell gravely ill. When his life was in peril one night, Jizo god appeared in his dream, telling him to take a pill to get better, and gave him a round pill. Tokimune took it in his dream and woke up next morning, feeling well. The legend says Tokimune opened the temple to honor the Jizo who saved his life.

The temple ground hosts Sentai Jizo-do (A Thousand Jizo Hall), where nearly 1,100 Jizo statues are kept. This hall is the only wooden national treasure architecture in Tokyo. During the renovation in 1934, an inscription was discovered stating it was built in 1407.

You can see the exterior any time. The interior is opened to the public three times a year - the 2nd Sunday of June, August 8, and November 3. Note that photography is allowed only between 3pm and 4pm on November 3 (You can take pictures any time during the open days in June and August).

A wooden board memorial from the Teiwa Period is known as the biggest wooden memorial in Tokyo and was transferred to Shofuku-ji Temple’s grounds in 1927.