Buddhist temple
Kan'ei-ji
寛永寺（かんえいじ）
Taitō, Tokyo
A head temple (daihonzan) of the Tendai school in Ueno, Tokyo, whose principal image is Yakushi Rurikō Nyorai. Its mountain name, Tōeizan, means the Hiei of the east, likening it to Enryaku-ji on Mount Hiei.
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: Yakushi Rurikō Nyorai (attendants: Nikkō Bosatsu, Gakkō Bosatsu)
History and things to know
According to the official guide, it was founded in Kan'ei 2 (1625) by Jigen Daishi Tenkai on the Ueno plateau, in the kimon (demon gate) direction of Edo Castle, to pray for the security of the shogunate and the peace of the people. It later also served as a family temple of the shoguns and became a great temple that received the Rinnōji-no-miya, but with the Battle of Ueno at the end of the Edo period, most of its grounds became Ueno Park.
Introduced by this site, based on materials from the shrine or temple and public bodies.
Related kami and buddhas
Before you visit
The Konponchūdō and the temple office are in Uenosakuragi, Taitō Ward, not inside Ueno Park.
Official website of the shrine or temple (may be in Japanese)
Sources (in Japanese)
- 寛永寺「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.