The Sakura of Owl Road

There was a reason I decided to eat in the Azuma area of Ikebukuro. Even though the weather was gloomy, I still wanted to see sakura. So I walked past 威光稲荷堂, Inari Shinto Shrine.

Past the stone with it's little cat image.

Besides cats, this part of Ikebukuro, Minami-Ikebukuro and Zoshigaya, has become a favorite place of mine for seeing sakura.

Because the little Owl Road has beautiful sakura trees that line the way to the shrines and temples there.

Along with the sakura at the temples and shrines.

I stopped at 観静院, Kanjoin or Kansei-in Temple, to pay my respects to Benzaiten. Of course seeing the sakura there was also a part of this.

威光山法明寺, Ikosan Homyoji Temple and it's Sanomon Gate were amazing.

I told myself at the beginning of this trip that I would see these trees in bloom. I think I said that also last year when I was here. Honestly, it is so beautiful and I am glad I did see them.

Even the grey skies could not subdue the beauty of these trees.

Ikosan Homyoji Temple

 One of the Buddhist temples in the Zoshigaya area is Ikosan Homyoji.

The main entrance has the impressive Sanmon gate.

The entrance leads into a nicely wooded temple ground. 

 With displays of stone markers

and stone lanterns, toro.

 The Hondo, main hall, has an air of older design. This temple founded around 810, but the structures are post-war so they are not that old.

 Still the design has a nice flow to it, perhaps reflecting back to prior incarnations of the building. Homyoji is a Nichiren Buddhist temple.

The bell here is popular with it's unusual designs of scales and abacus on it. This is also one of the top spots in Tokyo to ring in the new year.

Something else that makes this temple area popular is cats. 

I did see a number of cats at various temples and shrines including at Homyoji. 

Along with lovely sakura beginning to bloom. 

I have a feeling this temple is very beautiful when all the trees flower.