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Sengakugi Temple - Tokyo Hotels .com

Soul cleansing at Sengakugi Temple

A small temple in Shinagawa, the Sengakugi Temple is one of the city's most recognized landmarks. Well known throughout Japan, the 47 Ronin (masterless samurai) are buried at this temple and visitors come from all over to pay respects. Legend has it that the 47 samurai avenged their master's death by killing his nemesis and carrying his head to their master's grave. Afterwards, they were sentenced to commit ritual suicide (seppuku).

The story of the 47 Ronin is one of the most popular in Japan and every year on December 14 the Ronin Memorial Service (Ako Gishi-sai (47 Ronin Memorial Service) at Sengakuji) is held here. People burn incense in the graveyard and there is a small museum on site that commemorates the warriors.

This temple is a short walk from the Sengakuji Station on the subway Toei Asakusa line.