[National Treasure - Jindaiji Temple, Tokyo] You can worship the oldest national treasure Buddha in eastern Japan

Jindaiji Temple, famous for Gegege no Kitaro, is home to the Shaka Nyorai statue, the oldest national treasure in eastern Japan. It was made during the Hakuho period (645-710) from the Asuka to Nara periods, and is counted among the Hakuho Three Buddhas along with the Yumegai Kannon statue at Horyuji Temple in Nara and the Koyakushizo at Shinyakushiji Temple. There are many similarities between the two, so it is certain that it was made in Nara during the Hakuho period.

You might think that it had been treasured for 1300 years, but it seems that it was only discovered to be an important Buddha statue in modern times, and until the early Meiji period it was pushed into a storeroom and beaten with a broom to remove dust. When was it transported from Nara to Tokyo and placed in Jindaiji Temple?

The copper face is very gentle and childlike, and shows the characteristics of a statue made in Japan. It has a beautiful and fresh face that makes it seem like it was made just recently, without any sense of its 1300 years of history.

At Jindaiji Temple, you can worship this wonderful Buddha statue without paying an admission fee. It's a fun experience to eat Jindaiji soba noodles while feeling the romance of the Nara period in this oasis of pure spring water in the city.

Location: Jindaiji Temple, Shakado

Address: 5-11-2 Jindaiji Motomachi, Chofu, Tokyo

Visiting hours: 9:30-16:30 in summer

9:30-16:00 in winter

Cost: Free

Parking: There are several parking lots nearby, and they cost around 800 yen.

The parking lot just around the corner from the "Jindaiji Entrance" intersection is 200 yen/hour, so it's recommended if it's available.

*Unfortunately, photography of the Shaka Nyorai statue is not allowed.

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