Day 3 in Tokyo: Meiji Jingu Shrine - ISKCON TEMPLE, FUNABORI - Epson Aquarium, Shinagawa

Being a member of the ISKCON (International Society of Krishna Consciousness) for long, and having seen many of its temples in India, a visit to the ISKCON temple of Japan was high on our priority list. At the cost of sounding a bit gluttonous, I would also like to add that our poor dietary intake for the first two days in Japan had only further strengthened our resolve and since it was a Sunday, I was looking forward to the ISKCON feasts generally held on this day.

Thus, even though the temple was located towards the outskirts of the city which meant a bit more of time, search and effort from our sides to make it there but, we still made it.

Located in a peaceful area in Funabori station away from the hustle and bustle of the main road, the building of the ISKCON temple was an ordinary looking structure and somewhat hard to figure out. Except for a small signage board there was nothing that indicated – Yes, this is the place. One glance at its humble settings and we knew that this would be going down as the most modest of all ISKCON temples that we have previously been to.

Entrance to the ISKCON Temple, Japan
Entrance to the ISKCON Temple of Japan

A small bell at the door led us in. The room was no bigger than a residential house with a small gathering of a few bhaktas (devotees) seated on asanas (mats) immersed in the devotion for the Lord. The gates of the sanctum were closed.

Japan ISKCON temple room
The ISKCON Temple Room

In a corner, a Japanese girl supported by a small chorus group was playing the harmonium and striking melodic notes sinking the entire atmosphere in energetic devotion.

Bhajan prayers in the ISKCON temple, Japan
Jai Radha Govind Madhava... Singing glories to the Lord

At one side of the hall, a small memento cum book counter was stacked with Hindu Religious Texts as explained by Swami Prabhupada, Tulsi rosary beads, Krishna paintings and statues and many other attractive paraphernalia related to Lord Krishna.

Religious paraphenelia in the ISKCON Temple, Japan
The library cum memento corner

“Aren’t there Sunday feasts organized here like the ones that we have in Juhu, Mumbai”, I enquired one of the bhaktas at the counter. “No Mataji” he replied, “the temple cannot cater to such expenses as it is running on a loan. Prabhu ki iccha se kisi din… yahan bhi bhandare lagenge (God willing, someday we also will be able to host lavish treats for everyone), but for now we cannot afford it. But we do have a Govinda’s restaurant serving buffet, you can check that out if you please”. It was sad to know that this humble temple was finding it difficult to find its feet in a foreign land.

With a gloomy feeling and all my feast fantasies now collapsed, I grabbed a seat and joined in the standard chanting of Radhe Krishna, Hari Gopala intermittently while eagerly waiting for the sanctum door to open.

A few minutes passed by and the curtains were raised. A series of loud calls singing glory to the Lord echoed in the hall while the devotees kneeled and bowed their heads down in reverence.

Radhe Krishna Temple opens - ISKCON temple, Japan
Bowing down in reverence... the sanctum door opens

The priest lighted the prayer lamp motioning the commencement of the afternoon arti (prayer). The beautifully decorated Radhe Krishna deity shimmering in bright glow and glimmer blessing its devotees was now clearly visible.

Main deities of Radha and Krishna at the ISKCON temple, Japan
Beautiful deities of Radha and Govinda

Srila Prabhupada at the ISKCON temple, Japan
Srila Prabhupada - the founder of ISKCON

The highlight of the prayer was the simple candle lighting ceremony after the arti where each one got a chance to light one and register his presence in the house of the Lord. It was a nice practice, I thought, that encouraged engagement with your own self in addition to also drawing some personal moments in nearness to the God. 

Candle lighting ceremony at the ISKCON temple, Japan
The candle lighting ceremony in the ISKCON Temple

After the prayers, the prasadam of kheer and pakoda was distributed amongst all. I took mine and left the place with one silent wish... to see this temple standing on its own one day.

Prasadam at the ISKCON temple, Japan
Prasadam of kheer (a type of sweet made of milk) and pakoda

Adjacent to the temple is the Govinda’s restaurant serving buffet lunch for 1500 Yen. With an abundant line up of delicacies on the platter - rotis, sabji, idli, chutney, rice, dal, papad, sweet, etc. -

Govinda's restaurant at the ISKCON temple, Japan
Govinda's restaurant

Indian Thali - Veg. meal in Japan ISKCON temple
A full Thali

I had my heart’s fill... a little bit of everything from my thali which was wholesome, fulfilling, Indian... and purely vegetarian.

Getting there: How to Reach, etc.

Nearest Metro Station: 2 min walk from the Funabori station (South exit) on Toei-Shinjuku line.
Admission Fees: Free
Open: All 365 days
Contact Numbers: +81-80-5412-2528 - Sanjay Karanji / +81-90-8053-6321 - Sanjiv Keswani

Previous Posts from the Japan Trip -