From the green walkway I turned onto the main street to head back to Shinjuku Station. When I noticed a few Buddhist temples. The first one was Shoshunji Buddhist temple, created in the early Edo period. It is Jodo Shinshu sect.
The second one had this interesting gate. I don't know why they have a metal gate next to it except that these temples are smaller and need a way to drive onto the property. It was an odd feeling to have all this open area next to this massive gate. I do not know if there was a wall there previously. I would assume there was something before the advent of cars.
The big gate or mon is for Taichoji Buddhist Temple. Or there may be another name for this temple since there wasn't much information in English online and Japanese information gave a couple different names. Nemuni, Nenson-ji, Gensenji or Narutukuji. Maybe there is more than one temple on this property? Taichoji is on Google maps and is mentioned elsewhere so I am going with that, in case anyone wants to check the place out. As for the gate, it was very imposing.
Even as the buildings were right up next to apartments they still made sure to have great details like these roof tiles or kawara.
The courtyard led to the Hondo. The Buddhist sect here is also Jodo Shinshu and there is a wooden statue of Prince Shotoku enshrined here. It and a tea room on the property are designated as cultural assets for Shibuya ward.
This temple was built here between 1716 to 1735.
While I don't know much about this temple, I can say they have a lovely pink double sakura tree there.
The flowers were a nice contrast to the modern concrete apartments looming next door.
The last place that I saw on this street was this very small Shinto shrine.
It is Ginnanten Shinto Shrine and stands out in contrast to the two temple complexes.
In part as to how they surrounded it with various newer metal fences, yet left pieces of what use to be there in between.
I could tell someone was trying to take care of this shrine. Like putting the old chozuya on newer granite blocks.
This small shrine was newer and well tended.
While the older shrine looked like it was off of it's base and sitting forlorn on the dirt in a corner. Since it was open, it may be the Kami that was there was enshrined in the new altar.
This little shrine does seem strange since there isn't much there. However there is something large there. This ginkgo tree.
Which is what the shrine is for. In the spring it doesn't look like much without it's leaves. Maybe I will have to take a look again at a time when it is green with fluttery leaves.
One more place I visited here. Which is my next post.
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