Temple · Ueno / Uenosakuragi
Kan'ei-ji 寛永寺（根本中堂）
Head temple of the Tokugawa shoguns in Ueno, founded in 1625 by the monk Tenkai to guard Edo Castle's unlucky northeast direction.
HoursGates 9:00-17:00
ClosedNone
PriceFree
Getting thereJR Uguisudani Station, about 10 min; JR Ueno Station (Park exit), about 15 min
Time needed30 min
Best timeCombine with a walk through Ueno Park to Yanaka
Address1-14-11 Uenosakuragi, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0002 (Konponchudo hall)
Websitekaneiji.jp
About
Kan'ei-ji was founded in 1625 as the 'Hiei of the East', protecting Edo from the northeast as Enryakuji protected Kyoto. It became one of the Tokugawa family temples, and six shoguns are buried in its mausoleums. Most of the vast precinct became Ueno Park after the 1868 Battle of Ueno; the Konponchudo main hall, moved here from Kawagoe, now stands near the Tokyo National Museum.
Highlights
- Konponchudo main hall with a dragon ceiling painting (special openings)
- Tokugawa family temple and shogun mausoleums
- History of the 1868 Battle of Ueno
- Quiet grounds behind the Tokyo National Museum
Tips
- The ceiling painting 'Eigaku Soryu' is shown only on special openings
- Several sub-temples and Kiyomizu Kannon-do in Ueno Park belong to Kan'ei-ji
Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-10
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