Japanese Buddhist Temple
জাপানি বৌদ্ধ মন্দির
Also known as Nipponzan Myohoji.
A small white temple by the lake where a drum is beaten at dawn and dusk.
About Japanese Buddhist Temple
The Japanese monk Nichidatsu Fujii, founder of the Nipponzan Myohoji order and a friend of Gandhi, set up this temple in 1935 on the southern edge of the lake. Monks and nuns chant "Na-mu-myo-ho-ren-ge-kyo" to the beat of a hand drum at the morning and evening prayers, and visitors may sit in.
Why visit
Ten minutes of drumming and chanting that few people in the city have heard.
What to see and do
- The prayer hall and its golden Buddha
- The evening prayer with drums
- The small garden and stone pillar
Plan your visit
- Area
- Dhakuria, South Kolkata
- Nearest landmark
- Lake Road, near Dhakuria bridge
- Best time
- Sunrise or evening. October to March is the most comfortable time of year.
- Time needed
- About 25 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Entry
- An active place of worship that admits visitors; its own rules apply. Visitors are welcome at prayer times; exact times are not currently verified.
- Metro
- Rabindra Sarobar (Blue Line), then a walk through the lake park
- Train
- Dhakuria, a short walk
- Walking
- Little walking
- Photography
- Photography is fine with some care.
Nearby and related places
- Rabindra Sarobar: A 73-acre lake ringed by trees: South Kolkata’s morning walk.
- Dakshinapan: An open-air court of state handloom and handicraft emporia.
- Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture: A cultural institute at Golpark with a library, a museum and evening talks.
- Birla Academy of Art & Culture: An art museum and galleries on Southern Avenue.
- Lake Kalibari: A much-loved Kali temple on Southern Avenue, founded in 1949.
- Jadavpur 8B & Coffee House: Student street food and a branch of the Coffee House by the university gate.
Walks that include it
- South Kolkata Cultural Trail: Temple town to the lake
More guides
- Places in Dhakuria
- Places of worship to visit
- Hidden gems of Kolkata
- Free places to visit in Kolkata
- Places near a metro station
- All places to visit in Kolkata
Last checked on 2026-10-02. Each place was checked to exist and its position confirmed. Timings, closing days and ticket prices are shown only where known and can change: confirm before you travel.