Buddhist temple
Gokoku-ji
護国寺（ごこくじ）
Bunkyō, Tokyo
A head temple (daihonzan) in Ōtsuka, Bunkyō, Tokyo, founded at the wish of Keishōin, mother of Tokugawa Tsunayoshi. Its principal image is an amber statue of Nyoirin Kanzeon Bosatsu that was Keishōin's personal devotional image.
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
Prayers associated with this place
Principal image: Nyoirin Kanzeon Bosatsu (a statue of natural amber)
History and things to know
According to temple tradition, in Tenna 1 (1681) Tsunayoshi, at Keishōin's wish, invited the priest Ryōken of Kōzuke Province as founding priest and built halls on the site of the Takada herb garden; this was the beginning, and they were completed the following year. Many halls were lost in fires in the Meiji and Taishō eras, but the Kannon hall (main hall) of the Genroku era still stands, and the Gekkōden, moved here from Mii-dera, has also been handed down.
Introduced by this site, based on materials from the shrine or temple and public bodies.
Related kami and buddhas
Before you visit
Opening hours, access, areas open to visitors, and events can change. Please check the latest guidance from the shrine or temple itself before you go.
Official website of the shrine or temple (may be in Japanese)
Sources (in Japanese)
- 護国寺「御祭神・御本尊・由緒の公式案内」（2026-10-22 確認）
This site is independent of the shrines, temples, and other websites mentioned. No partnership or endorsement is implied.