Tokyo's Hidden National Treasure Awaits at Jindaiji Temple

The only National Treasure Buddhist statue in Tokyo Metropolitan area sits quietly in Chofu's ancient Jindaiji Temple, a late 7th-century bronze masterpiece that predates the famous Kamakura Great Buddha by 550 years. Designated as a National Treasure on September 15, 2017, this Bronze Seated Buddha (銅造釈迦如来倚像) represents the pinnacle of Hakuho period Buddhist art and stands as the oldest National Treasure Buddhist statue in all of Eastern Japan.

Unlike the crowded temples of Kyoto and Nara, this exceptional treasure offers international visitors an intimate encounter with Japan's Buddhist heritage just 30 minutes from central Tokyo, surrounded by traditional soba restaurants, seasonal festivals, and natural beauty that has attracted pilgrims for nearly 1,300 years.

An Artistic Masterpiece Shrouded in Mystery

The Bronze Seated Buddha statue, known as the Hakuho Buddha for its distinctive late Asuka period style, measures 83.5 cm in total height with the seated figure itself standing 60.6 cm tall. Cast using sophisticated hollow bronze techniques that extended even into the head interior, the statue originally gleamed with gold plating, though fire damage has left only traces of this original splendor.

What makes this statue extraordinary is its unusual posture - rather than the typical lotus position, the Buddha sits on a chair with legs hanging down, a rare iconographic choice that reflects 7th-century continental Buddhist influences from Tang China and Korea.

The statue's discovery reads like an archaeological thriller. In 1909, during renovation work at Jindaiji's Ganzandaishi Hall, assistant researcher Shibata Tsuneyoshi from Tokyo University found the statue lying horizontally behind the altar, where it had been hidden following a devastating fire in 1865.

Despite being housed at Jindaiji Temple since ancient times, the statue's origins remain enigmatic - scholars theorize it was created in the sophisticated workshops near Nara that produced other National Treasures like Horyuji Temple's Yumedono Kannon, then somehow transported to this eastern outpost of Buddhist culture. The youthful, gentle expression reminiscent of a young boy, combined with the flowing drapery and sophisticated three-dimensional modeling, demonstrates the technical mastery that justified its elevation to National Treasure status in 2017.

Jindaiji Temple Blends Thirteen Centuries of Living Buddhism

Founded in 733 CE during the Tempyo period, Jindaiji Temple stands as Tokyo's second-oldest Buddhist temple, predating the city itself by centuries. The temple's founding legend speaks of divine intervention in a love story - a young man named Fukuman prayed to the Buddhist guardian deity Jinja Daio for help reaching his beloved, who had been isolated on an island by disapproving parents.

When a mysterious turtle appeared to carry him across the water, the parents recognized divine will and approved the marriage. Their son, the monk Manko Shonin, established Jindaiji in gratitude, creating a spiritual center that still draws couples seeking blessings for their relationships.

The temple complex today encompasses multiple historic structures, though fires in 1646 and 1865 destroyed many original buildings. The 1695 Sanmon gate survives as one of the few Edo-period structures in Tokyo, its traditional thatched roof and weathered wood creating an immediate sense of stepping back in time.

The Main Hall, rebuilt in 1919, houses an Amida Nyorai statue, while the Ganzandaishi Hall contains Japan's largest seated monk statue at 2 meters tall. The Shaka Hall, purpose-built in 1976 with climate controls to protect the National Treasure Buddha, will be replaced by 2027 with a new Hakuho-in hall designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma, marking the temple's 1,300th anniversary.

Beyond its architectural treasures, Jindaiji maintains vibrant Buddhist practices that engage the local community. Daily Goma fire rituals send prayers skyward with sacred smoke, while the annual calendar brings spectacular festivals that transform the temple grounds. The Daruma Fair on March 3-4 ranks among Japan's three largest daruma doll markets, with 300 vendor stalls and special eye-painting ceremonies where monks inscribe Sanskrit characters for good fortune.

A Culinary Pilgrimage Through 400 Years of Soba Tradition

The area surrounding Jindaiji has cultivated buckwheat and produced soba noodles for over four centuries, creating a culinary tradition inseparable from the temple experience. Pure spring water flowing from the temple grounds provides the essential ingredient that distinguishes Jindaiji soba, with approximately 20-30 traditional restaurants maintaining time-honored preparation methods.

During the Edo period, pilgrims would offer buckwheat to the temple, then enjoy soba meals as part of their spiritual journey, establishing a tradition that continues today. Each restaurant offers its own interpretation of this local specialty, from the centuries-old Jindaiji Monzen Soba Hompo to popular establishments like Yusui, where lines form early for their handmade noodles.

Visitors can choose between hot soba in rich dashi broth during winter months or refreshing cold zaru soba served on bamboo trays in summer, often accompanied by crispy tempura vegetables or local specialties. The restaurants themselves range from traditional buildings with tatami mat seating to more modern establishments with English menus catering to international visitors.

The November Soba Festival celebrates the new buckwheat harvest with special tastings, stamp rallies, and demonstrations of traditional noodle-making techniques, turning the entire district into a celebration of this culinary art.

Practical Access Makes This Treasure Surprisingly Reachable

Despite housing Tokyo's only National Treasure Buddhist statue, Jindaiji remains refreshingly accessible compared to the tourist-packed temples of Kyoto. From central Tokyo, the journey takes just 30-45 minutes via the efficient Keio Line to Chofu Station, followed by a 15-minute bus ride through residential neighborhoods that gradually give way to the forested temple environs.

Multiple access routes accommodate visitors from different parts of Tokyo - from Shinjuku, the direct Keio Line costs about 200 yen, while those coming from the JR Chuo Line can connect via Kichijoji or Mitaka stations.

The temple grounds remain open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (extending to 6:00 PM in summer), with free admission to explore the complex. Currently, viewing the National Treasure Buddha statue is also free as the temple fundraises for the new Hakuho-in hall, though typically there's a modest 300 yen viewing fee.

The adjacent Jindai Botanical Garden, Tokyo's largest with 100,000 plants representing 4,500 varieties, offers a perfect complement to the temple visit for just 500 yen admission. The famous rose garden alone features 5,200 plants that bloom spectacularly in May and October.

For international visitors, the Jindaiji Information Center provides English-speaking staff and guided tours in multiple languages including Chinese, French, and Russian. While English signage within the temple remains limited, the center offers comprehensive pamphlets and maps. Free Wi-Fi covers much of the area, and several soba restaurants provide English menus.

A Complete Cultural Experience Beyond the Buddha Statue

The Jindaiji area rewards visitors who venture beyond the main temple complex with a rich tapestry of cultural attractions. The whimsical Kitaro Chaya celebrates manga artist Shigeru Mizuki's GeGeGe no Kitaro series with a themed café, character statues throughout the grounds, and an extensive gift shop that delights both children and anime enthusiasts.

Traditional craft shops line the temple approach, selling hand-painted daruma dolls, local pottery, and regional sweets like crispy soba-flour senbei crackers and fluffy fugashi wheat gluten confections.

For those seeking relaxation after temple exploration, Jindai-yu hot spring offers therapeutic bathing in rare black mineral water that emerges from 1,500 meters underground. The facility provides both indoor and outdoor baths, saunas, and traditional Japanese bathing culture just minutes from the temple.

Nature lovers can explore the free Aquatic Botanical Garden showcasing seasonal wetland plants, while history enthusiasts might visit the nearby Saneatsu Mushanokoji Memorial Museum dedicated to the famous author and philosopher.

The temple's seasonal transformations provide compelling reasons for multiple visits. Spring brings delicate plum blossoms followed by spectacular cherry blossoms that frame the temple buildings in pink clouds. Summer offers the unique opportunity to spot fireflies in the temple's forested areas, a rare experience so close to Tokyo. Autumn paints the grounds in brilliant reds and golds, while winter occasionally blankets the complex in snow, creating scenes of ethereal beauty that seem lifted from classical Japanese paintings.