Dembōin: A Tranquil Retreat Beside Sensō-ji

Dembōin, nestled next to the bustling Sensō-ji Temple in Asakusa, offers a serene escape from the vibrant city. This sub-temple functions as the residence for Sensō-ji's head priests and features a stunning Japanese garden that is considered a hidden gem.The history of Dembōin dates back to the early Edo period (1603-1868), with the garden believed to have been created between 1624 and 1644. The current buildings, including the Palace and Main Entrance, were constructed in 1777, with the Daishoin (Large Study Hall) added in 1871. The palace hall enshrines three Amitabha statues and ancestral tablets of past head priests and eleven Tokugawa shoguns. The garden design is attributed to Kobori Enshū (1579–1647), a renowned garden designer and tea ceremony master.The garden covers 12,000 square meters and is designed in the traditional Japanese stroll garden style, featuring two ponds connected by a narrow channel. As visitors walk the path, they are treated to diverse scenery, including meticulously arranged pines, verdant lawns, and strategically placed stones. The garden also incorporates borrowed scenery, with views of Sensō-ji's five-storied pagoda and the modern Tokyo Skytree. Within the garden, you'll find the Tenyu-an teahouse, an 18th-century replica of a Kyoto teahouse. An ancient stone coffin dating back to the Kofun era (300-538 AD) can also be found within the garden.While Dembōin is typically closed to the public, the garden is occasionally opened for a limited period each year, usually in the spring. During these special openings, visitors may also have the opportunity to view exhibitions of traditional Japanese art.