Shinobazunoike Benten-dō (Shinobazunoike Benten-dō) is a small yet remarkable Buddhist temple located on a charming island in Shinobazu Pond, within Ueno Park, Tokyo. The temple is dedicated to Benzaiten (Benten) — the only female deity among Japan’s Seven Lucky Gods (Shichifukujin) — revered as the goddess of music, art, wisdom, and prosperity.

Historical Background and Inspiration:

The temple was founded around 1625 by Monk Tenkai of Kan’eiji Temple, who constructed it as a spiritual defense for the city of Edo (modern-day Tokyo). Inspired by Chikubujima Island in Lake Biwa, Shiga Prefecture, Tenkai envisioned Ueno Hill as Mount Hiei and Shinobazu Pond as Lake Biwa, replicating a sacred landscape of faith and harmony.
Originally, the island was only accessible by boat, but a stone bridge was later built, allowing visitors to approach the temple with ease — a symbol of the connection between humans and divinity.

Architecture and Sacred Features:

The temple’s octagonal main hall (Hakkaku-dō) reflects the architectural influence of Chikubujima’s temple design. The current structure was rebuilt in 1958 after being destroyed during World War II. Inside, visitors can admire the ceiling painting of a dragon by the artist Kodama Hope, adding a mystical and solemn atmosphere to the hall.

Deities and Spiritual Presence:

The principal image enshrined here is “Happi-Benzaiten”, or the Eight-Armed Benzaiten, whose multiple hands each hold symbolic implements representing the destruction of worldly desires and liberation from suffering.
Nearby stands the Daikokutendō Hall, dedicated to Daikokuten, the god of wealth and good fortune, who was deeply venerated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of Japan’s most famous unifiers.

Atmosphere and Festivals:

Surrounded by the lotus-filled Shinobazu Pond, the temple becomes particularly picturesque in mid-July, when the lotuses bloom spectacularly across the water. In earlier times, the pond was known as a “releasing ground for living creatures”, and to this day, several monuments honoring aquatic life can be found around the temple grounds.
The most significant event is the Mi-narukane Festival held in September, during which the hidden statue of Benzaiten is displayed to the public — the only time each year this sacred image is revealed. Additionally, the temple serves as a key stop along the Yanaka Shichifukujin Pilgrimage, a popular New Year’s spiritual journey that celebrates Tokyo’s seven deities of fortune.

• By JR Train: 1-minute walk from JR Ueno Station (Park Exit).

• By Tokyo Metro: 3-minute walk from Ueno Station (Ginza or Hibiya Line).

• By Keisei Line: 5-minute walk from Keisei Ueno Station.

Located within Ueno Park, follow signs toward Shinobazu Pond.

• Visit during July–August to see the lotus pond in full bloom.

• Attend the September Mi-narukane Festival to witness the public unveiling of Benzaiten.

• The morning light offers the best reflections for photography.

Combine your visit with nearby attractive spots such as National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Ueno Zoo, and the Tokyo National Museum.

Admission Fee:

• Free

Opening Time:

• Open daily from 09:00 – 17:00