Ikegami Honmonji

The Ikegami area is a charming town that has flourished as a temple town centered around Ikegami Honmonji, one of the head temples of the Nichiren sect, retaining a strong sense of its history and old-town atmosphere. The October Oeshiki, a Buddhist memorial festival honoring Nichiren, is a major attraction drawing about 30,000 people annually. Heading westward from the temple you’ll find Ikegami Plum Garden, where over 30 varieties of plum blossoms—the symbolic flower of Ota Ward—bloom magnificently in early spring, filling the air with their fragrance. Rather than large commercial complexes, this area will delight with local shopping streets, independent shops, long-established eateries, and traditional Japanese confectioneries that together preserve the old-fashioned streetscape. Despite its proximity to the heart of Tokyo, a tranquil atmosphere prevails. Beloved as a convenient yet charming downtown area, it harmoniously blends historic buildings with lush green parks.