VIDEO: Samurai history at Kannonji Temple in Tokyo’s Taito

(Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Japan )

Nestled among residential homes, a cemetery and narrow roads, Kannonji Temple stands with a deep history tied to samurai and Edo Tokyo.

According to an association of volunteer tour guides in Taito-ward, it was during the Edo Period (1603 – 1867) that many temples were moved to the neighborhood because of the Tokugawa Shogunate’s policy.

Today, you can see signs of this past including Tsuijibei, a fortified wall composed of clay and tiles and topped with a tiled roof just like a regular building.

You’ll also find a monument dedicated to Akoroshi, a.k.a. Akogishi, a group of 47 ronin during the 18th century. Ronins are samurai who have lost their lord. The Akogishi assassinated a high-ranking official of the Tokugawa Shogunate believed to have humiliated their lord in public. Their story was immortalized in a 2013 movie, 47 Ronin featuring Keanu Reeves.

Take a stroll and walk in the footsteps of drama, tragedy and samurai history.

Tsuijibei, a fortified wall composed of clay and tiles and topped with a tiled roof just like a regular building.

Tsuijibei (Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Japan)

49 Ronin Memorial Monument, which is made of stone.

49 Ronin Memorial Monument (Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Japan)

(Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Japan)

Kannonji Temple

GPS Coordinates: 35.725623, 139.768178

*Tsuijibei can be found at (35.725306, 139.768208)

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Shoji Kudaka

Shoji Kudaka is a writer based in Okinawa. Kudaka covers travel, food and culture for Stars and Stripes Okinawa. When he is not exploring the stunning local beaches or going on treks through jungles and caves, you can find him trying out new recipes he shares online and in the paper.