This is a peaceful refuge with a violent history. It's the burial place of 47 samurai who, after avenging their master's death, committed ritual suicide and were laid to rest next to his grave. The story has been immortalized in a famous Bunraku puppet play by Chikamatsu (later adapted for Kabuki) and is also the frequent subject of films and TV dramas. There's a small museum with videos and personal artifacts belonging to the samurai, a room containing carved statues of the samurai and a cemetery with their tombstones. There's also a scale model of Mount Fuji: You can "hike" the short trail to the top. The temple is open daily 7 am-6 pm (until 5 pm October-March). The museum is open daily 9 am-4 pm. Admission to the temple is free. Admission to the museum is ¥500 adults. 2-11-1 Takanawa (Sengakuji station on the Toei Asakusa Line), Minato-ku, Tokyo. Phone 3441-5560.
