Above the Todoroki Valley

 Something else about Todoroki Fudoson Temple is it has a wonderful view of the Todoroki valley.

There is a railed observation walkway which offers a view of the gorge with the many trees there. 

Including beautiful sakura trees. 

And bright pink ume trees. 

It is a very pleasant view. 

The observation walkway is near the steps that lead down to the gorge. Ready for this? 

 The dirt and board steps transitioned to these stone steps. Still couldn't see the bottom yet. It is a long way down.

However there are things to see along the way. 

Little shrines, like this one with a frog. Frogs have been considered protectors against fires and also for praying for returns, for bringing things back, in Japan.

This shrine was rather interesting, being set into the gorge wall and lined with concrete blocks, giving it an ancient Roman or Greek appearance.

Parts of this shrine appear older, yet the lanterns and bell rope are newer. 

There was even a stand for burning incense. I am not sure who the shrine is for. Perhaps the person who founded Todoroki Fudoson Temple, or if it is for Buddhist Priest Kobo Dashi who explored the valley back when. It does resemble his statue at another shrine in the valley.

 There is also a formidable looking Fudo Myo-o in a shrine up on the side of the valley. 

Someone is definitely tending and visiting this shrine, even though it would be a difficult climb up there. Also if you were to have a god to protect the valley, Fudo Myo-o is a good choice. His name means "immovable". Which I am sure they hope all the rocks are.

 I could finally see the bottom of the steps, which lead to that timeless valley gorge.

And looking back up the lowest part of the steps.

Mitakesan Kofun and Todoroki Fudōson

March 24th was not an easy day. The state of Oregon issued it's "Stay at Home" rule, closing many businesses because of the virus. And my flight back to Oregon was cancelled. I received an email from the booking site saying it was cancelled and that they won't do anything more, the web page with my original booking will be deleted. Thankfully right after this there was a second email saying I was now booked on a JAL flight that same day. I didn't mind that it was out of Hanada International Airport, but there was nothing stating what terminal it would be flying from. Along with my losing the money I paid for a round trip NEX' ticket. But at least I didn't have to try to find another flight or deal with trying to get a refund.

I had already planned to return to a place I enjoyed on my last trip. It was a good day to go for a walk. So I made my way back to Todoroki. This time I walked along Meguro Dori where they had signs with kingfisher and other birds and also fish swimming in water. Very creative.

I was walking this way because I wanted to see 御岳山古墳, Mitakesan Kofun.  

A kofun is a burial mound or tumulus. The Mitakesan Kofun is part of the Noge mounds along the Todoroki Valley. These were created around the fifth century. I mentioned the ones by the valley gorge in my prior post about the area.

The shape of the Mitakesan Kofun is like a scallop shell. The kofun is dotted with various markers for worship. This kofun is only open to the public once a year.

The Mitakesan Kofun has had excavations there occasionally. In 1917 a mirror was found. Various other objects such as iron weapons were discovered in 1950 when they excavated at the rear of the mound. 

It wasn't just the kofun that I wanted to see. The other place I wanted to visit was across the street. Where there was sakura blooming. 

I can not resist sakura. 

As to the place, it is 等々力不動尊, Todoroki Fudōson Temple. 

The front gate or mon is right off of Meguro Dori.

Todoroki Fudoson Temple was founded in the late Heian period, around 1100.

Although the buildings here now are not that old. Often parts of Buddhist temples are rebuilt, like this gate. 

The official name for the temple is Ryugozan Myoo-in (The Hall of the Wisdom King on the Mountain of Resounding Waterfall). The waterfall is Fudo-no-Taki, which flows into the gorge. And it is Fudo Myo-o, also known as Acala, the immovable wisdom king, that is enshrined at Todoroki Fudosan.

There is a chozubashi carved from stone near the front gate.

With an impressive dragon water spout. 

Besides the main shrine there are smaller ones on the grounds.  

There is a large jokoro for worshipers to burn incense. 

It is located in front of the Hondo, where worshipers pray. 

This Hondo has dragons at the end of the carved lintel beam. 

And at the top. There are also different types of temple bells for people to ring. 

Walking to the other side of the temple there is a different style of cleansing water pavilion. My next post will have more photos of what can be seen from over here. Because there is a lot to see in this place that is not like anywhere else in Tokyo.

Sightseeing in Shinjuku

Strangely, I'd never been to the infamous Golden Gai in Shinjuku. And I wanted to walk, so I headed in that direction. 

I expected a lot of bars and the rest that is found in entertainment districts. I didn't expect to find this long path through greenery. 

Something I like about Tokyo is the effort that is made to create green spaces like this. Some like this one have a feeling going back to when they were created. 

Of course outside of the path the view was more like I expected for the area. 

I can say I also didn't expect this child blowing a horn while riding a snail. 

Along with the other child riding a dolphin. 

Bar Shuten Doji caught my eye. 

I decided to grab photos of a couple live houses. A lot of music history has happened at Shinjuku LOFT. Most MALICE MIZER fans are familiar with it through those old videos. 

Another place popular for live music, FROM DUSK TILL DAWN.

Heading back towards the train stations, I spied something on the top of this building. 

Yes, that is the Shinjuku Toho Building with Godzilla on top. 

Great sign placement as Godzilla towers above it, red eyes glowing. 

There were a lot more people near Shinjuku Station, including more who were not wearing masks. This was March 23rd. 

I was avoiding that station so I headed back to Shinjuku-sanchome Station. I took a photo of MUJI along the way, in part because they now have a store in Portland, Oregon. 

Back in my hotel room, where I had the seventh floor all to myself, I enjoyed the pretty reflection of the sky on the building across from my room. 

Izakaya in the time of the virus. I picked up a few things at the little shops near exit C6 in Ikebukuro Station. Chicken karaage and potato salad. Very good with Sapporo Black Label beer.

Along with chirashi from Midori Sushi. Also very good. 

The local 7-Eleven was selling the little Kit Kats individually. This was great since I didn't want to buy the big bags just to try different ones. 

Something I had ordered while in Japan arrived. I was using my iPhone a lot more, and of course the battery usage was more. Along with my laptop no longer working and previously experiencing a major disaster while in Japan, I decided an external battery would be a good idea. So I made use of the opportunity to get the Moi-même-Moitié battery, along with a new case for my iPhone. It was on sale and allowed for free shipping.