Gokoku-ji

Gokoku-ji (護国寺) is a Buddhist temple located in Tokyo, Japan. It belongs to the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. The temple's full name is Shinshoji Gokoku-in (真性寺護国院).

Gokoku-ji was founded in 1681 by Keishoin, the mother of Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, the fifth shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate. It was dedicated to Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, and intended to be a place of prayer for the well-being of the nation (hence "Gokoku," meaning "protecting the country").

Unlike many other temples in Tokyo, Gokoku-ji survived the bombings of World War II relatively unscathed, preserving much of its original architecture. Key features include the Main Hall (Kannon-do), which houses the principal image of Kannon; a three-story pagoda; and the graveyard, where several prominent figures are buried, including members of the Tokugawa family and individuals like Count Inoue Kaoru, a key figure in the Meiji Restoration.

The temple grounds offer a tranquil atmosphere and are easily accessible by subway. Gokoku-ji remains an active place of worship and a historical landmark in Tokyo.