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 | Tokyo Shrines and Temples Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 16 |  |
 | |  |  | Shrines and Temples: Togo and Hanozono shrines : two little gems | Tip Rating:    |  |  | |  |
Tokyo has no shortage of shrines and temples. Unfortunately though, many of them seem rather overrated, like the famous Meiji-Jingu which doesnt really live up to expectations (although the creepy surrounding forest, with its squawking, giant crows is like a scene from Hitchock`s "The Birds" , kinda fun in a macabre way). But there are alternatives. Shinjuku`s Hanozono-jinja is located right on Yasukuni-dori, one of the city`s main thoroughfares, opposite the giant Isetan department store and close to the Marui store as well. However, you could miss it. Enter through a narrow little alleyway under the red torii gate and suddenly youre in a shady yard of old trees, seemingly a million miles away. On Sundays there is a kimono market, good for cheap second hand traditional clothing for souvenirs, and if youre lucky you might see an outdoor play, staged in the temple`s yard. If you turn left, past the ornate red temple building, you`ll head out right into the blinking neon lights of Kabukicho, a tawdry pleasure-dome of illegal gambling and prostitution. The contrast between the calmness of the temple and its surroundings could hardly be greater. The same is true of the delightful Togo Shrine, in the teenage shopping mecca of Harajuku. From Harajuku station, walk down Takeshita-dori, "Teenagers Street" - crushed full of hip hop boys and overly-made up girls, with stores selling all kinds of crazy, funky fashion fads...but turn right just before the end of the street (if you can hold out that long in the maddening crowd) . Suddenly, you are standing by a serene pond, in the garden of this Shinto shrine. When I was there, a traditional wedding was taking place, carp were splashing in the pond and stray cats were dozing in the shady gardens...just seconds away from the seemingly parallel world of vibrant commercialism on Takeshita-dori. Sundays here is an antique market- not cheap, but good quality pieces if youre looking for something distinctive to take home. Leave a Comment
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| | | | Shrines and Temples: Sengaku-ji temple.'This... | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Sengaku-ji temple. 'This temple, known to every Japanese, was the setting for part of one of Edo's best known true stories... the tale concerns the fate of 47 ronin (masterless samurai). Their master, Lord Asano, taunted and scorned by his teacher Lord Kira, caused grave offense by drawing his sword in anger. Because the offense occurred within the castle grounds, Asano was obliged to perform seppuku (ritual suicide). On December 1, 1702, Asano's 47 retainers, in an act of revenge, decapitated Kira in his mansion on the banks of the Sumida River and carried the head through the snowy streets of Edo to their lord's grave at Sengaku-ji. Thereafter held in custody but treated with respect for their loyalty, the 47 ronin, ranging in age from five to 77 years, were ordered to commit seppuku.' [Tokyo Insight Guide pp 183-184] See my separate travelogue for more photos. Leave a Comment
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| | | | Shrines and Temples: Tokyo Off the Beaten Path Tip (Untitled) | | | | | |
| | | | Shrines and Temples: Tokyo Off the Beaten Path Tip (Untitled) | | | | | |
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