Zojoji Temple

This is the main temple for the Buddhist Jodo Shu sect. The site of the temple dates back to 1598 but many of the buildings there have burned down several times thoughout the centuries. In fact the main hall was most recently rebuilt in 1974. There is still one wooden gate which has survived and dates back to 1622. On the site are the mausoleums of several generations of Tokugawa Shoguns and their families. The Tokugawa Shoguns ruled for 268 years; it was the first Tokugawa that moved the capital to Tokyo (then called Edo). Quite simply this place was amazing. We we got there there was a service happening in a smaller hall complete with the huge drums, bells, gongs, and monks chanting; it was phenomenal.