The First Temple in Asia

The Tokyo Temple is the first temple to be built in Asia and the eighteenth to be built throughout the world. It was built for the benefit of the approximately 115, 700 saints who live not only in Japan but in other nations of Asia, including Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines and Hong Kong.

The temple is located near the center of the Tokyo metropolis in Minami Azabu, Minato-Ku, one of the most lovely and plush residential areas in Tokyo. The area also features many schools while to the front of the temple spreads the lush green of the historical Arisugawa Memorial Park. Nearby, the modern buildings of the Bulgarian, Swiss, and Norwegian Embassies lie scattered amidst the lovely residences of the area, tranquil surroundings that appear well-suited to a temple of the Lord.

There are few places in metropolitan Tokyo which could provide such a lovely environment for the temple, while the dignity of the temple itself makes it a well-suited addition to its overall surroundings. The mission home that was once the proselyting headquarters for the entire Far East area formerly stood upon the ground now occupied by the temple. The site itself, thus, has an important historical significance, and a record of the development of proselyting work in Asia seems to be engraved on the face of the land. In terms of transportation convenience, the location is superb, only a five minute walk from the Hiroo subway station. Convenience of access was one important reason for the selection of this site originally.

The temple building has one story under ground and four stories above. The first floor is 920 square meters in area while each of the above floors is 600 meters square. The building, excluding the steeple, is approximately 20 meters high, and the tower, which is decorated with stained glass, rises to a height of 55 meters. Structurally, the building is of aseismatic reinforced concrete and the surface is covered with gray granite. The interior of the building is as follows:

The floor includes the lobby, the temple presidency offices, the bridal matron’s room, the youth waiting room, the children’s room, the temple clothing supply room, the cafeteria, the kitchen, and the laundry room. There is also a temple clothing distribution center which is accessible only through a separate entrance.

On the second floor are locker rooms for men and women, the bridal dressing room, and lecture rooms for brides and bridegrooms. The residence of the temple president and his wife is on the second floor of the temple and access is from a separate entrance that opens to the street.

On the third floor is the chapel with a seating capacity of 120 persons and five sealing rooms for the performance of eternal marriages. Also on the third floor are locker rooms and a lounge for temple workers.

On the fourth floor are two ordinance rooms with a capacity of 100 each and the celestial room.

The underground floor houses the baptismal font, which is carried on the backs of twelve statues of oxen, as well as the boiler room and the storage area.

A traditional Japanese garden has been planted on the temple grounds. A metal fence surrounds the grounds which have been designed to allow the garden to be viewed from the outside by passers-by.