First established in Yoshiwara in 1617, the temple was moved to its present location in Tsukiji after the great fire of 1657. It used to be a complex of 35 temples, but only consist of one temple nowadays.
The current building dates from 1935. It is notable for being the largest temple built entirely of stone in Japan. Its architect, Chuta Ota, designed it in a Hindu-style, which makes it look very un-Japanese.
The Tsukiji Hongan-ji, like other Honga-ji temples, is part of the "True Pure Land" or "Joudo Shinshu" (浄土真宗) branch of Buddhism.
Tsukiji Fish Market 築地市場
Tsukiji Market is the largest fish market in the world. Every day, tens of thousands of fish and seafood arrive from all over the world. Auctions over the night's catch take place in the early hours the morning, so if you want to see all the lively hustle and bustle you should go between 5 and 8 am.
The fruit and vegetable market beside the fish market is not as attractive for tourists, but is also of considerable size.
Tsukiji is an excellent place to enjoy a sushi or sashimi breakfast. Restaurants are lined all around the market and neighbouring streets.
Incidentally, it is in Tsukiji that the famous gyudon chain Yoshinoya (which doesn't serve gyudon anymore because of BSE) opened its first restaurant. Probably because of the number of fishermen and fish retailers fed up of eating fish everyday.
