Eimizan Kanonin Temple

Author: Richard Perkins

Photos/Videos Taken: 2021/05/22

Address: 2-4-8 Kyonancho, Musashino-shi,
Tokyo,【180-0023】

Eimizan Kanonin is a Buddhist temple in the city of Musashino, Tokyo, about a two-minute walk from Musashi-Sakai station. Built by Moritake-Eimi-Yamato-Wajō in 1653, this particular temple is part of the Sōtō sect of Buddhism and descends from Daihonzan-eiheiji temple.

The Eimizan Kanonin temple has had parts of it destroyed in several fires. Due to this, artifacts such as the building where the Buddhist monks lived, and even documents about this particular temple have been lost in those fires. On a happy note, a number of areas in the Eimizan Kanonin temple have been restored, and the statue of Juntei-kanon (the statue of the principal Buddha at this temple) was never damaged.

It’s not very large, but inside the grounds is a pond where one can see goldfish and other fish swimming around. Also, as mentioned above, Eimizan Kanonin is close to Musashi-sakai station. Many people pass by this particular temple and there’s even a loud video game arcade on the opposite side of the road. It doesn’t look like it from the outside, but this is one temple with a very tranquil atmosphere and one where one can pray at their own leisurely pace. On New Year’s Eve, many people gather here to ring the large bell and ring out the old year. This is a great temple to visit for those who would like to visit a temple that’s not usually visited by many tourists.