DAIBUTSU in Kamakura
The giant Buddha in Kamakura not only makes for spectacular pix, you can go inside!
• Classic Japan photo op • Biggest bronze Buddha figure in the country • You can go inside the hollow statue and see how it was made
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FUKUGAWA FUDO TEMPLE in Monzen-Nakacho
The place to see red-hot fire ceremonies, with awesome taiko drums!
Fire ceremonies with drums, five times a day • Hall of 10,000 crystal figures of Fudo-san • Room with 108 glow-in-the-dark paintings of gods • Dragon fountain that grants wishes written on dissolving amulets • Giant wooden Fudo figure
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GOTOKU-JI TEMPLE in Gotokuji
The lucky cat temple!
Thousands of lucky maneki neko cat figures • Stunning natural cedar pagoda • Excellent cherry blossoms, plum blossoms and fall leaves
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HOKOKU-JI BAMBOO TEMPLE in Kamakura
This temple has a magnificent forest of giant bamboo and extensive walking paths through the cool & shady grounds
Paths take you through bamboo forest and area of lush greenery, studded with caves • Nice teahouse where you can have a bowl of mattcha (tea ceremony-style green tea) and traditional sweets
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IKEGAMI HONMONJI TEMPLE in Ikegami
Gorgeous red pagoda, and home of the festival of 10,000 lanterns
Famous monk Nichiren’s final home before he died • Spectacular Oeshiki festival (Festival of 10,000 Lanterns) in October • Splendid red and gold buildings
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IMADO SHRINE in Asakusa
The lucky cat figures at this shrine are dedicated to matchmaking! • Shrine shop sells adorable cat merchandise
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KANDA SHRINE in Akihabara
This is the Anime Shrine – where anime and manga artists go to pray for success
Amazing art drawn on prayer plaques by visitors • Beautiful red and gold shrine buildings • You can buy a charm to protect your electronics • Weddings and ceremonies galore
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MEIJI SHRINE in Harajuku
My favorite place to see weddings, people in gorgeous kimonos and period costume
Weddings • Festivals • People wearing kimonos • Cedar buildings built without nails • Chance of real live tanuki sighting
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NEZU SHRINE in Nezu
My favorite Tokyo shrine, in a neighborhood unchanged by time
Tunnel of orange torii gates • Beautifully restored gold and lacquer buildings • Old-fashioned neighborhood that escaped WWII bombing
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NISHI-ARAI DAISHI TEMPLE (also known as Soji-ji) at Daishimae
One stop shop for garden strolling and wart curing!
Famous peony gardens bloom in April • Wart-curing Jizo figure
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SASUKE INARI SHRINE in Kamakura
The fox shrine to end all fox shrines
Enter through a gorgeous tunnel of orange torii gates • Mysterious little moss-covered fox “villages” line a footpath that wends its way up a shady mountainside
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SENGAKU-JI TEMPLE in Sengakuji
Truth is stranger than fiction – see the actual burial place of the legendary 47 ronin
Graves of the 47 ronin • Their signed confession • The well where they washed Lord Kira’s severed head • Statue portaits of the real 47 ronin
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SENSO-JI TEMPLE in Asakusa
If you want to combine shrines & temples with souvenir shopping & festivities, this is where you should go.
Giant Buddhist temple (Senso-ji) • Asakusa Shrine (Shinto) • Great place to see festivals & weddings
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TSURUGAOKA HACHIMANGU SHRINE in Kamakura
A magnificent red & gold shrine, built by the shogun when Kamakura was the capitol of Japan
Red & white lotus ponds represent the two warring families who were united under the shogun • Excellent traditional events & festivals
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YASUKUNI SHRINE in Kudanshita
Impressive Imperial shrine that hosts many lively festivals throughout the year • Extensive WWII museum • Japanese garden with koi pond • Sumo amphitheatre where amateur events take place • Controversial because the souls of all Japanese war dead are enshrined here
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YUSHIMA SHRINE in Yushima
This is a gorgeous shrine, seldom visited by tourists
Jewel-like example of a cedar wood and gold shrine • Famous plum blossom festival (Feb) and chrysanthemum festival (Nov) • Musical water garden
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ZENIARAI BENTEN SHRINE in Kamakura
This is a beautiful shrine where you can wash your money so it will double within the year
Enter through a tunnel cut through the rock • Shrine is in the middle of a grotto with beautiful waterfalls • Wash your money in the stream running through the shrine’s cave, and it will double within the year
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ZOJO-JI TEMPLE in Kamiyacho
Stately temple favored by the shoguns
Thousands of Jizo figures • Seven Tokugawa shōguns are buried here • Holiday ceremonies with Japanese celebrities
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Jonelle Patrick writes mysteries set in Tokyo. Her fourth book – Painted Doll – is just out in paperback
PAINTED DOLL book trailer (1:08)
