Virtual Gyotoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #5 Daitoku-ji Temple

     Daitoku-ji Temple was founded in 1615 by Priest Kaizan.  Its temple bell was known as the time signal not only in Gyotoku but in Katsushika County at large.

     In 1877, the paddle steamer Tsuun-maru became in service.  The boat was 22 meters long and 3 meters wide, and sailed at 11 kilometers an hour.  The steamboat age started in the Edo River.  However, everything bright has its dark side.  Some steamships caused fire along the river, and Daitoku-ji Temple caught in one of those fires in 1885.  The teple bell was cracked and stopped giving time signals as it had done.  In 1943, during World War II, the bell was delivered to the government.  Today, the temple has neither a bell nor a bell tower.

Address: 5-13 Shimoshinshuku, Ichikawa, Chiba 272-0102

Phone: 047-357-3016