Sengakuji Temple is rarely on the top 10 places to visit in Tokyo but it is not somewhere that should be so quickly overlooked. If you like your Japanese history, then you will be very interested to know that it is the burial home of the 47 Ronin.

The story goes, in summary, that there were 47 dedicated Samurai to Lord Asano Takuminokami. When their Lord was unfairly ordered to commit seppuku, they avenged him and his family as their final act of allegiance. As they no longer had a master they were know as the 47 Ronin- Samurai without a master. Their actions were illegal and therefore all 47 were sentenced to commit seppuku, a ritual suicide before being buried with Lord Asano and his wife here at Sengakuji temple.

It is a small temple just a mere 15/20 minutes walk from Shinagawa JR station or a 3 minute walk from Sengakuji metro station on the Toei Asakusa subway line.

It is free to enter and there are two main outdoor spaces to explore, the temple and the burial ground as well as a small memorial hall which does have a small entrance fee.

If you are looking for a nice walk on a beautiful day with some time to kill in Tokyo, then I would highly recommend this place. On December 14th, the anniversary of the 47 Ronin’s revenge, there is a celebration held at the temple every year.

Well that’s all for now.

SP x