Dembo-in (Dembo Temple)

Dembo-in (Dembo Temple) Review

Believed to have been made in the 17th century by Kobori Enshu, the genius of Zen landscape design, the garden of Dembo-in, part of the living quarters of the abbot of Senso-ji, is the best-kept secret in Asakusa. The garden of Dembo-in is usually empty and always utterly serene, an island of privacy in a sea of pilgrims. Spring, when the wisteria blooms, is the ideal time to be here.

A sign—you'll find the sign about 150 yards west of the intersection with Naka-mise-dori—in English on Dembo-in-dori leads you to the entrance, which is a side door to a large wooden gate. For permission to see the abbot's garden, you must first apply at the temple administration building, between Hozo-mon and the Five-Story Pagoda, in the far corner.