[National Treasure] Shofukuji Jizo Hall, one of only two national treasure buildings in Tokyo

There are only two national treasure buildings in Tokyo, one is the Akasaka Palace Guest House, and I heard that the other is in the Tama area, so I went there right away. It is the Shofukuji Jizo Hall in Higashimurayama City, where Shimura Ken was born. It is estimated to have been built in the Muromachi period around 1407, and is characterized by a large curved roof on the upper level and a normal roof and single-story mokoshi on the lower level. It has remained in the same form for 600 years. There is a wooden fence around it, but you can visit it at any time. It is free. I thought I would like to pray, but there was no offering box. It is said that there are more than 1,000 small jizo statues about 20 cm in size inside the building. As a custom in the Edo period, when making a prayer, you would take one home, and if it was granted, you would donate an additional one, so does that mean that more than 1,000 wishes have been granted? The interior is open to the public three times a year, so I would like to visit if I get the chance. There are also other things to see, such as a stone tablet made in 1349, 13 stone statues of Buddha along the approach to the shrine, and Yasaka Shrine next door, so it might be nice to take a stroll around the area. Name: Shofukuji Temple, Jizo Hall (National Treasure) Address: 4-6-1 Noguchicho, Higashimurayama, Tokyo Access: About 10 minutes on foot from Higashimurayama Station Parking: Free for about 40 cars (paid in June, not available on November 3rd) Interior open to the public: 3 times a year Second Sunday in June, 11am-3am (photography always allowed) August 8th, 11am-3am (photography always allowed) November 3rd, 10am-4am (photography only allowed from 3am-4am) Exterior open to the public: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year *Even though it is a national treasure, it is a generous temple where everything is free #0yentravelautumn #Tokyo #Higashimurayama #Tamaarea #Nationaltreasure #Historicalbuilding #Shofukuji Temple #Muromachiperiod #Jizodo #Jizo #ShimuraKen