The Bamboo Temple This Kamakura temple is a must-see for its towering bamboo forest, its exquisite garden-like grounds, and its teahouse, where you can enjoy a delicious bowl of mattcha while contemplating the gently-swaying bamboo. Lovely in every season, it’s a particularly welcome destination in the summer months when the bamboo dials the temperature downContinueContinue reading “Hōkoku-ji Temple”
Tag Archives: Shrines & temples
Sengaku-ji Temple
You know the story of the 47 samurai who avenged their lord, then were all ordered to commit ritual suicide? You can see the movie anywhere in the world, but visiting the place where the REAL 47 rōnin are buried is something you can only do in Japan! If you want to see a pieceContinueContinue reading “Sengaku-ji Temple”
Nishiarai Daishi Temple
Nishiarai Daishi is a grand Buddhist temple with all the trimmings—a great place to see all the holiday celebrations, but especially fabulous in February when the plum blossoms burst forth, in April when its renowned peony garden comes into bloom, and in late April to early May when its giant wisteria unfurls its meter-long purpleness.ContinueContinue reading “Nishiarai Daishi Temple”
Kameido Tenjin Shrine
For centuries, this shrine has been so famous for its wisteria that Hiroshige featured it in his “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo” woodblock prints. Best times to visit are January for the Bullfinch Festival, mid-February to early March for plum blossoms, late April to early May for the grand wisteria, and November to seeContinueContinue reading “Kameido Tenjin Shrine”
Kamakura Day Trip
Kamakura is so close, it’s practically in Tokyo, and there’s no better day trip than seeing some of the most entertaining and unique shrines and temples in the country, all in one place. It’s especially excellent in late March – early April for the cherry blossom promenade down the center of town, in June forContinueContinue reading “Kamakura Day Trip”
Monzen-Nakachō Area
(Photo courtesy of Narita-san Fukakgawa Fudo temple website) The Monzen-Nakacho area isn’t mentioned on many must-go lists because most visitors don’t know about the neighborhood’s highly entertaining temple, the shrine that’s the birthplace of sumo wrestling, and (in late March to early April) one of the best hidden cherry blossom spots in Tokyo. This isContinueContinue reading “Monzen-Nakachō Area”
Great things to do in February
Setsubun On Feb 2-3, everyone celebrates Setsubun to usher in good luck for the new year. People dressed as demons are chased around and pelted with dried soybeans by everyone else, who are busy shouting things like, “Out with the bad luck, in with the good!” It’s also the holiday on which they sell bigContinueContinue reading “Great things to do in February”
Zojō-ji Temple
This temple is the subject of many woodblock prints and the burial place of seven shōguns. It’s a lovely place to see hundreds of Jizo figures with their colorful pinwheels and take a classic “ancient & modern” photo with Tokyo Tower, especially excellent at the major Buddhist holidays like New Year’s in January, Setsubun inContinueContinue reading “Zojō-ji Temple”
Ikegami Honmon-ji Temple
Ikegami Honmon-ji is the major Nichren sect temple in Tokyo, and a great place to see all the big Buddhist festivals. It’s especially worth a visit in late February to mid-March, when its extensive plum garden is in bloom, and for the Oeshiki Ikegami Festival of 10,000 Lanterns in mid-October. This magnificent temple sacred toContinueContinue reading “Ikegami Honmon-ji Temple”
Asakusa Area
The Kaminari-mon (Thunder Gate) – gateway to Senso-ji temple and the Nakamise-dori shopping street This is where I take people on their first day in Tokyo. It’s everything you think Japan should be – traditional festivals, a secret garden, temples & more. It’s also a great place to see the big festivals during pretty muchContinueContinue reading “Asakusa Area”
Nezu Shrine
The Nezu Shrine is a great place to see a pristine red and gold Shintō shrine and experience a lively celebration of New Year’s in January, as well as brilliant autumn leaves in November. What it’s most famous for, though, is its can’t-believe-your-eyes azalea display in April. Come for the beautiful red and gold shrine,ContinueContinue reading “Nezu Shrine”
Yasukuni Shrine
The shrine with a sumo ring! The most controversial shrine in Tokyo, the Yasukuni Shrine hosts festivals with all the trimmings in January, April, July and October. It’s also got a fascinating WWII museum, a lovely garden and an outdoor sumo amphitheater. This is a gorgeous, lively, maddeningly nationalistic, must-see Imperial shrine. Like the MeijiContinueContinue reading “Yasukuni Shrine”
Kanda Myōjin Shrine
How could the gods resist granting THESE prayers? The Kanda Myōjin shrine is in the heart of Akihabara—the cosplay, anime and video game heaven—so it’s no surprise that this is where manga artists pray for success! It’s also an excellent place to do some kimono-spotting in January and November on the traditional coming-of-age days. Sure,ContinueContinue reading “Kanda Myōjin Shrine”
Where to see the strangest shrines in Tokyo
Some of the gods in residence at Tokyo’s shrines have hilarious and entertaining specialties! Oddly enough, many of these shrines sit on the grounds of venerable Buddhist temples. Japan’s indigenous Shintoism predates the arrival of Buddhism, and because Buddhist belief doesn’t require renouncing allegiance to other gods, they preserved the sites honoring the old godsContinueContinue reading “Where to see the strangest shrines in Tokyo”
Where to get a healing souvenir for your ailing loved one
If you have dear ones whose health you can’t stop thinking about—even while on your dream trip to Japan—why not bring back a healing gift to show how much you care? Japan has many healing shrines and temples—some specific, some general—and you need not be a practicing Buddhist or a Shinto believer to enjoy theContinueContinue reading “Where to get a healing souvenir for your ailing loved one”
How to do the right thing at shrines and temples in Japan
Shrines and temples aren’t just for snapping nice pix – there’s serious specialized goodness to be gotten from throwing a coin to the proper powers-that-be! Here’s how to take advantage of the local supernatural beings’ odd specialties, and do it right: First: Wash your hands It’s polite to ritually purify yourself at the spring nearContinueContinue reading “How to do the right thing at shrines and temples in Japan”
Shrine or temple? The Quickie Guide
You’re craning your neck to see some gorgeous gold-leafed carving, and suddenly you’re overcome with traveler joy. “Isn’t this the most gorgeous…?” Uh oh. Shrine or temple? Because you know that temples are Buddhist and shrines are Shinto (and you don’t want to be that tourist) but which is which? Shrines and temples can both beContinueContinue reading “Shrine or temple? The Quickie Guide”
Jonelle Patrick writes about Japan 