Tokyo Japan Temple

Tokyo Japan Temple
Tokyo Japan Temple
Number	18
Dedication	October 27, 1980, by Spencer W. Kimball
Site	1.22 acres (0.49 ha)
Floor area	53,997 sq ft (5,016.5 m2)
Height	178 ft (54 m)
	Official website • News & images
Church chronology
Additional information
Announced	August 9, 1975, by Spencer W. Kimball
Groundbreaking	April 10, 1978
Open house	15 September – 18 October 1980; 3-18 June 2022 (following renovation)
Rededicated	July 3, 2022, by Henry B. Eyring
Designed by	Emil B. Fetzer
Location	Tokyo, Japan
Geographic coordinates	35°39′10.21680″N 139°43′28.34039″E / 35.6528380000°N 139.7245389972°E
Exterior finish	289 panels of precast stone which resembles light gray granite
Temple design	Modern, one spire
Baptistries	1
Ordinance rooms	2 (stationary)
Sealing rooms	5
Clothing rental	Yes
	(edit)

The Tokyo Japan Temple (formerly the Tokyo Temple) (東京神殿, Tōkyō Shinden) is the 20th constructed and 18th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Located in Minato, Tokyo, Japan, it was the first temple built in Asia, being dedicated in 1980. It has a compact style that was a precursor for later buildings in urban areas, such as the Hong Kong China and Manhattan New York temples.

History[edit]

The intent to construct a temple in Tokyo was announced by the LDS Church on August 9, 1975. The temple was built on less than half an acre, on the site of the former mission home in downtown Tokyo.^[1] The mission home had to be demolished for the temple construction to proceed. The temple is very compact, with a parking garage in the basement and an apartment on one of the upper floors for the temple president. It has two ordinance rooms, five sealing rooms, and a total floor area of 52,590 square feet (4,886 m²). The exterior of the temple is reinforced concrete covered with 289 pre-made panels of stone, which look like light gray granite.

An open house was held September 15 through October 18, 1980, to allow the public to see the interior of the new temple. Church president Spencer W. Kimball dedicated the Tokyo Japan Temple October 27, 1980. On December 10, 2004, a ceremony was held in which an angel Moroni statue was added to the spire of the temple.

In June 2000, the Fukuoka Japan Temple was dedicated in Fukuoka. Ground was broken for the Sapporo Japan Temple on October 22, 2011.

On April 10, 2017 the LDS Church announced that the temple would close in October 2017 for renovations that were originally anticipated to be completed in 2020.^[2] After delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the LDS Church announced on March 23, 2022 that a public open house would be held from June 3 through 18, 2022, excluding Sundays.^[3] The temple was rededicated by Henry B. Eyring on July 3, 2022.^[4]