Located in Ikegami 1-chome, Ōta City, Tokyo, Ikegami Honmonji is one of the most important temples of the Nichiren sect and holds the prestigious status of a Daihonzan (Grand Head Temple). Its formal name is Chōeizan Daikokuin Honmonji, though it is commonly known as Ikegami Honmonji. The temple is famous as the site where Nichiren Shonin passed away, making it one of the fourteen sacred sites of the Nichiren sect and one of its seven major head temples.

The history of Ikegami Honmonji dates back to 1282 (Kōan 5), when Nichiren Shonin, due to illness, left Mount Minobu in Yamanashi Prefecture and traveled toward the Ibaraki area for treatment. On the way, he stayed at the residence of Ikegami Munenaka (now in Ōta City, Ikegami). After spending his final twenty-some days there, he passed away on October 13th of the same year. To commemorate Nichiren, Munenaka donated 69,384 tsubo of land (based on the number of characters in the Lotus Sutra) on a hill behind his residence, where Ikegami Honmonji was founded. Nichiren's disciple Nikkō was appointed the first chief priest.

The small valley where Munenaka's residence stood is located on the west side of Honmonji. It was rebuilt in 1276 as the Hokke-dō (Lotus Hall) and later became a sub-temple known as Daibō Hongyōji. During the Kamakura and Muromachi periods, Honmonji was supported by samurai of the Kanto region. In the Edo period, it became a significant site for worship and prayer for feudal lords and daimyos.

However, during World War II, many of the temple buildings were destroyed in air raids, with the exception of structures like the five-story pagoda, the main gate, the sutra repository, and the treasure pagoda. After the war, years of reconstruction efforts gradually restored its appearance, and it remains a major site of worship and tourism today.

Ōta City Tourist attraction list

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Tourist attraction list

Ikegami Honmon-ji Temple

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