Tokyo Japan Temple Re-opens After Major Renovation
Table of Contents
Open-House & Dedication Timeline
- Media Day: Monday, April 28 2025
- VIP/Interfaith Tours: April 29
- Public Open House: April 30–May 17 (closed Sundays) • 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
- Cultural Celebration: Saturday, May 24 • 6 p.m. JST, Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium
- Temple Rededication: Sunday, May 25 • three sessions (10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m.) presided by Elder Gary E. Stevenson
How to Reserve Free Tour Tickets
Bookings open April 10 at templeopenhouse.ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Select your date, party size (max 20), and language. A confirmation email will include a QR code—present it at the gate 10 minutes before your slot. Walk-ins are welcomed when space permits, but reservations cut wait times to under 15 minutes even on Saturdays.
What’s New After the Renovation?
- Seismic base-isolation platform designed to withstand magnitude 8 quakes.
- Added baptistry annex with capacity doubled to serve eight stakes in Kanto.
- Interior redesign—Hinoki-wood paneling, washi-paper light fixtures, and mural scenes of Mt. Fuji and cherry-blossom parks.
- Energy upgrades—solar panels on the adjacent meetinghouse roof now power 60 % of temple needs.
What to Expect on the Tour
- Intro Film (5 min)—history of the Church in Japan since 1901.
- Guided Walk-Through (30 min)—grand foyer, instruction rooms, bridal suite, sealing rooms with etched-glass Mt. Fuji motif, and the celestial room crowned by a 1.8-ton crystal chandelier from Nara Glass.
- Post-Tour Exhibit (10 min)—FamilySearch booth, kimono-inspired art display, Q&A with local members.
Cultural Celebration & Choir Details
Nearly 1 800 youth from 23 stakes will perform “Light of the Rising Sun,” a musical retelling of faith in Japan. Public admission is free; tickets distributed by stake leaders April 20. The broadcast streams live in Japanese, English, Korean, and Mandarin at broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Travel, Parking & Language Services
The temple sits a five-minute walk from Kitasando Station (Exit A1) on the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line. No on-site parking; limited street spots fill by 8 a.m., so rail travel is advised. The tour route is wheelchair-accessible, and headsets are offered in Japanese, English, Portuguese, Korean, and Mandarin.
Temple History in Japan
Dedicated in 1980 by President Spencer W. Kimball, the Tokyo Temple was the Church’s first house of the Lord in Asia. It served members from Vladivostok to Manila until additional temples opened in Fukuoka (2000), Sapporo (2016), Okinawa (2023) and Osaka (2024). More than 138 000 Latter-day Saints now live in Japan.
Quick FAQ
Is there a dress code? Modest, respectful attire—similar to a wedding or graduation.
Can I take photos? Allowed outside, not inside.
How long is the tour? Plan 45–60 minutes from check-in to exit.
Do I have to be LDS? No—everyone is welcome during the open house.
