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Ako Gishi-sai (47 Ronin Memorial Service) at Sengakuji Temple - Tokyo Hotels .com

People paying respect, Sengakuji Temple, Tokyo

The Ako Gishi-sai is an annual memorial service that honors the 47 Ronin of Ako and their famous vendetta. This historic incident involved a group of samurai who avenged their master Asano's death by killing his rival and parading his head. After placing the enemy's head on their master's grave and saying prayers to him, they all committed suicide.

An annual parade and service is held in their honor. People from all over Japan know the story of the 47 samurai and visit Sengakugi Temple every year. Forty-seven men dressed as the samurai march to the temple with the enemy's head to place on the grave. This event takes place on December 14. Sengakugi Temple is a small temple and one of Edo's most famous.

To reach it, take the Toei Mita subway line from Onarimon Station to Mita Station; transfer to the Toei Asakusa subway line and get off at Sengakuji Station.