Temple facts and Temple Passport
Tokyo Japan Temple
Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Temple No. 18- Announced
- August 9, 1975
- Groundbreaking
- April 10, 1978
- Dedicated
- Monday, October 27, 1980
- Rededicated
- July 3, 2022
Temple No. 18 · The story
The story of the Tokyo Japan Temple
- First temple in Asia
- Fifth temple dedicated outside North America
In 1949, Elder Matthew Cowley dedicated a mission home in Tokyo and said, “There will someday be many Church buildings and even temples built in this land.” Before this temple was built, groups of Japanese members traveled to Hawaii and Salt Lake City to attend the temple.
President Spencer W. Kimball announced the temple on August 9, 1975, to 12,300 members at the Nippon Budokan arena, and they burst into tears and applause. The temple was built on the mission home property, so there was no traditional groundbreaking. President Kimball dedicated it on October 27, 1980. Church membership in Japan had grown from 8,892 in 1965 to about 46,000.
After a renovation, President Henry B. Eyring rededicated the temple in 2022.
“When I come here, I feel like I’m coming home.”
President Henry B. Eyring, 2022
Facts and quotes from the Church News Almanac page for this temple ↗. See where it fits in the story of the temples.
Where it is
The Tokyo Japan Temple and its neighbors
Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Locations are city-level and approximate. Tap a dot to open that temple.
In General Conference
Named in 5 General Conference talks since 2000
October 2023 · J. Kimo EsplinThe Savior’s Healing Power upon the Isles of the SeaTemple excursions from Japan to Hawaii continued regularly until the Tokyo Japan Temple was dedicated in 1980, becoming the 18th temple in operation.
October 2023 · Gary E. StevensonPromptings of the SpiritI recently participated in the Tokyo Japan Temple open house.
April 2023 · Kevin R. DuncanA Voice of Gladness!Last year, just prior to the rededication of the Tokyo Japan Temple, many guests not of our faith toured that temple.
October 2020 · Gary E. StevensonHighly Favored of the Lord…listened to branch members return from the conference days later to report that President Kimball had announced a temple in Tokyo.
April 2020 · David A. Bednar“Let This House Be Built unto My Name”In contrast, it took 150 years to build the first 18 temples, from the organization of the Church in 1830 to the dedication of the Tokyo Japan Temple by President Spencer W. Kimball in 1980.
Quotes are one sentence from each talk. Tap a talk to open its Weak Things sketch note. See every temple announced from the pulpit on Temples in General Conference, or read the temple through all four books on The Temple in Scripture.