TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 07:     Some 10,000 crystal 'Gorinto', five-rings tower is arranged at the 'Corridor of Pray' at Fukagawa Fudodo Temple on March 7, 2017 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images)
668504212

The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Imag

Fukagawa Fudō-dō

Asakusa & Sumida River


Belonging to the esoteric Shingon sect, at this active temple you can attend one of the city's most spectacular religious rituals. Goma (fire rituals) take place daily in an auditorium in the Hondō (Main Hall) at 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm, plus 7pm on festival days (1st, 15th and 28th of each month). Sutras are chanted, giant taiko drums are pounded and flames are raised on the main altar as an offering to the deity.

At the end of the 30-minute ceremony, people line up to have their bags and other possessions passed over the dying flames as a blessing.

While here, don't miss the trippy prayer corridor with 9500 miniature Fudōmyō (a fierce-looking representation of Buddha’s determination) crystal statues. Upstairs is also a beautifully decorated gallery (open until 4pm) depicting all 88 temples of the 1400km pilgrimage route on the island of Shikoku; it is said that offering a prayer at each alcove has the same effect as visiting each temple.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Asakusa & Sumida River attractions

1. Tomioka Hachiman-gū

0.18 MILES

Founded in 1627, this shrine is famous as the birthplace of the sumo tournament. Around the back of the main building is the yokozuna (sumo grand…

2. Kiyosumi-teien

0.58 MILES

One of Tokyo's most picturesque retreats, Kiyosumi-teien started out in 1721 as the villa of a daimyō (domain lord; regional lord under the shoguns)…

3. Fukagawa Edo Museum

0.61 MILES

During the Edo period (1603–1868), Fukagawa was a typical working-class neighbourhood, with narrow alleys and tenement homes. You can get an idea of what…

4. Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo (MOT)

0.75 MILES

For a primer in the major movements of post-WWII Japanese art, a visit to the permanent collection gallery here should do the trick. Temporary exhibitions…

5. Tsukudako-bashi

0.85 MILES

This tiny, picturesque bridge with attractive red rails spans a tidal inlet and is a popular filming location for TV shows and movies.

6. Sumiyoshi-jinja

0.85 MILES

This small shrine is dedicated to the protection of fishermen (look for the detailed wooden carvings of them on the building's beams). It was originally…

7. Tsukuda Ohashi

0.95 MILES

Linking Tsukiji to the island of Tsukishima, this was the first bridge to be built over the Sumida-gawa after WWII.

8. Amazake Yokochō

1.14 MILES

The hub of Ningyōchō, Amazake Yokochō is a delightful shopping street lined with age-old businesses, including several good craft shops. It's named after…