buddhism

October 22, 2014

Naritasan Shinshoji Temple

On my last full day in Japan, I checked out early from my apartment in Tokyo and headed to a hotel next to the airport in Narita (Chiba prefecture). I then spent the rest of the afternoon strolling around Narita. The main highlight of the city is Naritasan Shinshoji Temple: It is a large buddhist temple dedicated to Fudo Myo. Besides the temple buildings, Naritasan is famous for its Gion festival, held every summer, its massive Great Pagoda of Peace and a large garden.

October 17, 2014

Tokyo walk: Yanaka & Nippori

The Yanaka (谷中) neighbourhood is located between Sendagi and Nippori stations. It is known for its large number of buddhist temples and cemeteries, the biggest of which is the Yanaka cemetery.

October 15, 2014

Tokyo walk: Ikebukuro to Gokoku-ji Temple

After eating ramen, I was walking at random and taking pictures in Ikebukuro. Next thing I knew, I was on a pilgrimage through the temples in the area, ending at Gokoku-ji in Bunkyo.

October 11, 2014

Takuzousu Inari Shrine

Takuzousu Inari Engi (澤蔵司稲荷縁起) is a shrine (with some buddhist influence) in Koishikawa (Bunkyo).

June 21, 2014

Daien-ji Temple

Daien-ji is a buddhist temple located near Meguro station. This is where the Great Meiwa Fire that destroyed Edo in 1772 started. A notable feature of the temple is the 500 arhat statues standing as a monument to those killed in the disaster.

June 20, 2014

Hana Matsuri at Zojo-ji

While I was at Zojo-ji, there was a Hana Matsuri (花まつり; literally “Flower Festival”) celebration going on. It takes place at buddhist temples all over Japan around April 8th in order to celebrate the birth of Buddha. During the festival, small shrines decorated with flowers and a baby Buddha figurine bathed in sweet tea are displayed in front of temples. Another symbol of Hana Matsuri is the parades with children in fancy clothes pulling a papier-mâché white elephant.

June 19, 2014

Tokyo Walk: Temples & Shrines of Minato City

Minato City is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo. In April, I walked from Shinbashi to Roppongi, visiting some of the many shrines and temples of the area along the way.

June 15, 2014

Tokyo Walk: Temples & shrines of Asakusa (Part 2)

Continuing the visit to the temples and shrines of Asakusa. First, Imado Shrine, which claims to be the birthplace of the maneki neko (beckoning cat).

June 14, 2014

Tokyo Walk: Temples & shrines of Asakusa (Part 1)

Asakusa has a large number of shrines and temples in easy walking distance from each other. There is even a pilgrimage of the 7 Lucky Gods, where you can go through a few of those shrines and collect stamps along the way. For myself, I did my own pilgrimage last April. Starting in Uguisudani, the least used station of the JR Yamanote line and finishing at Senso-ji, I visited: