Shinobazu-no-ike Bentendo Temple, Tokyo
The goddess Benzaiten is honored by the Shinobazu-no-ike Bentendo Temple in Ueno Park. This Buddhist temple stands on an island in Shinobazu Pond.
Benzaiten was the only female among Japan's Seven Lucky Gods. As a river goddess, her temples are almost exclusively built near water. She is also the goddess of dance, music, wealth, wisdom and words.
Shinobazu-no-ike Bentendo Temple was once part of the Kan'ei-ji Temple, which was destroyed during the Battle of Ueno in 1868. Few of the structures that were part of that complex were able to survive, which makes Shinobazu-no-ike Bentendo Temple even more unique.
This temple was constructed in 1625 by a Buddhist monk, Tenkai. It was inspired by Enryakuji, a Buddhist temple near Kyoto. Tenkai ordered the planting of lotuses, the Buddhist symbol of purity, which continue to grow in the nearby Lotus Pond today.
Near the temple are a number of stone statues. The Biwa is a lute-shaped instrument that represents Benzaiten. Ugaijin, the god with the head of a man and a body of a serpent, is the god of harvests and fertility.
Visitors to Ueno Park will find plenty of sites to see. They may want to plan an entire day or even two full days exploring the park. Those who are short on time should make sure they find their way to the Shinobazu-no-ike Bentendo Temple so they may honor Benzaiten.
Benzaiten was the only female among Japan's Seven Lucky Gods. As a river goddess, her temples are almost exclusively built near water. She is also the goddess of dance, music, wealth, wisdom and words.
Shinobazu-no-ike Bentendo Temple was once part of the Kan'ei-ji Temple, which was destroyed during the Battle of Ueno in 1868. Few of the structures that were part of that complex were able to survive, which makes Shinobazu-no-ike Bentendo Temple even more unique.
This temple was constructed in 1625 by a Buddhist monk, Tenkai. It was inspired by Enryakuji, a Buddhist temple near Kyoto. Tenkai ordered the planting of lotuses, the Buddhist symbol of purity, which continue to grow in the nearby Lotus Pond today.
Near the temple are a number of stone statues. The Biwa is a lute-shaped instrument that represents Benzaiten. Ugaijin, the god with the head of a man and a body of a serpent, is the god of harvests and fertility.
Visitors to Ueno Park will find plenty of sites to see. They may want to plan an entire day or even two full days exploring the park. Those who are short on time should make sure they find their way to the Shinobazu-no-ike Bentendo Temple so they may honor Benzaiten.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Tokyo. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Shinobazu-no-ike Bentendo Temple on Map
Sight Name: Shinobazu-no-ike Bentendo Temple
Sight Location: Tokyo, Japan (See walking tours in Tokyo)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Tokyo, Japan (See walking tours in Tokyo)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Tokyo, Japan
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Creating your own self-guided walk in Tokyo is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
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Ginza Shopping Tour
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
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One of the prominent landmarks within the park is the Saigo Takamori Statue, which pays tribute to the legendary... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Shibuya Walking Tour
The Shibuya district is a shopping and entertainment mecca for fashion-conscious and trendy teenagers. Synonymous with Japan's youth vogue and fun in general, the streets of Shibuya are lined with shops, boutiques, restaurants, and nightclubs. On weekends, crowds of youngsters converge here, dressed up in a myriad of colors and styles, set out to socialize and have a good time.
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
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Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Shinjuku Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
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