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Sengaku-ji
On a snowy December night in 1702, forty-seven samurai warriors marched through these very temple gates carrying their enemy's severed head in a wooden box! You're standing at Sengaku-ji in Tokyo's Takanawa district, where these legendary Rōnin washed that head at a stone well before presenting it to their dead master's grave. This Buddhist temple became Japan's most famous samurai pilgrimage site after housing the graves of these loyal warriors who chose death over dishonor. Every December 14th, thousands still burn incense here to honor their sacrifice!
Did You Know?
- Sengaku-ji is the final resting place of the legendary 47 Ronin, who became symbols of loyalty and honor in Japanese culture after avenging their lord, Asano Naganori, in 1702; the graves of the ronin, their master, and even the man they avenged, Kira Kōzuke-no-suke Yoshinaka, are all located in a small, atmospheric cemetery at the temple, with stone slabs inscribed with their names and basins for burning incense in their memory.
- The temple houses a unique museum, the Akogishi Kinenkan, which displays personal belongings of the 47 Ronin—including letters and armor—and features a multilingual video that recounts their dramatic story, making it accessible and engaging for international visitors and families with children.
- Every year on December 14, Sengaku-ji hosts a lively festival commemorating the 47 Ronin’s act of vengeance; the temple grounds become crowded with visitors who burn incense, enjoy festival foods like okonomiyaki and takoyaki, and participate in ceremonies, transforming the historic site into a vibrant cultural event that brings the past to life for modern audiences.