Ikegami Honmonji Temple 池上本門寺

Located on a hill in southern Tokyo, Ikegami Honmonji is a temple dedicated to the spirit of the famed Buddhist sage Nichiren. The Nichiren sect is a federation of four of the original Buddhist schools founded by the Japanese priest, who lived during the Kamakura period (1185–1333).

The closest station is Ikegami Station on the Tokyu-Ikegami Line. The temple is a 10 to 15-minute walk or a short taxi ride from there.

Erected where Nichiren died, this prominent temple is still the administrative headquarters of the Nichiren sect. On the temple grounds is an impressive five-story pagoda. Built around the 17th century in the Momoyama style of architecture, it's widely regarded as the oldest in the Kanto area.

The temple attracts visitors year-round thanks to its stunning architecture and history, and cherry trees fill the surrounding area with pale pink blossoms during April. In mid-October, the temple hosts Ikegami Honmonji Oeshiki, the annual anniversary memorial festival to mark Nichiren's passing.

On the night of October 12 there is a parade along a two-kilometer route from Ikegami Station to the celebrated temple. Mando, which means 10,000 lanterns, is a rite during which some 3,000 worshippers carrying sacred lanterns draped with oversized decorations resembling beautiful cherry blossoms.