Wasn’t it surprising that a temple could house a Christian artifact? Myokakuji Temple does. It is a branch of Nakayama Hokekyoji Temple. This temple dedicates the statue of Nichiren as its principle image.
Today we are visiting Myokakuji Temple. It has a garden lantern called Kirishitan Toro. This Christian Lantern is very rare in eastern Japan. Before the Meiji Restoration Christianity was believed to be practiced secretly in Kyushu. So, this kind of lantern is seldom found here. There are no other Kirishitan Toros in Chiba prefecture.
Some say Oribe Furuta designed it. He was a famous samurai worrier. He was also a master of the tea ceremony in the Sengoku Period. Therefore some people call it Oribe Toro.
Myokakuji Temple was built in 1586. Shinryoin Nittsu built it. He was a venerable person. The lantern shows a father of Christian with a mantle and shoes. The shoes are now buried in the earth. It shows the beliefs in Christianity here at Myokakuji Temple.
The main hall of Myokakuji Temple is beautiful. The trees in the garden are well trimmed. It is a wonderful temple to visit. It is also on the center of the course to walk in Gongenmichi Road and Teramachidori Street.
Myokakuji Temple is accessible from Narita and Haneda International Airport. From Narita International Airport you can take the JR Sobu-express line. Transfer at Nishi-funabashi to the Tozai line. This line of the Tokyo Metro is bound to Nakano or Mitaka. Get off at Myoden Station. You can also take the Keisei-line. Transfer at Funabashi to the Sobu-Local line. Transfer again at Nishi-funabashi to the Tozai line. This one also goes to Nakano or Mitaka. Get off at Myoden Station. It takes about 60 minutes from Narita Airport.
From Haneda International Airport take the Keikyu-line bound to Narita. Transfer at Nihonbashi to the Tozai line of Tokyo Metro. This goes to Nishifunabashi Tsudanuma or Katsutadai. Get off at Myoden Station.
From Tokyo Otemachi Station take the Tozai line of Tokyo Metro. It is bound to Nishi-funabashi Tsudanuma or Katsutadai. Get off at Myoden Station. From Akihabara Station take the Sobu line. It is bound to Chiba Tsudanuma or Nishi Funabashi. Transfer at Nishifunabashi to the Tozai line of Tokyo Metro. Get off at Myoden Station.
From Myoden Station it is an eight-minute walk to Myokakuji Temple.