Japan is residence to a number of the world’s technological and engineering marvels.
And but, one factor I really like about Japan is the nation’s resolve to carry steadfast to its wealthy historical past and tradition amidst this frenetic world technological race.
While travelling in Japan, it’s arduous to not get overwhelmed by the ocean of white-collar employees hustling up and down the busiest road crossings on the planet. But in the event you take the time to pause, there are pockets of areas which can be the epitome of serenity.
Today we shine a highlight on Japan’s capital of Tokyo, particularly on the historic shrines and temples it’s important to go to whenever you’re within the metropolis.
1. Meiji Jingu Shrine
I keep in mind forsaking the noisy streets of Shibuya as I stepped via the large torii gate on the entrance of the Meiji Jingu Shrine. The stretch forward of me was paved with towering timber and a quietness that slowly dominated the deeper I ventured in.
An immensely standard shrine within the coronary heart of Tokyo, the Meiji Jingu Shrine was constructed for Emperor Meiji and his spouse, Empress Shoken.
Said to have 100,000 timber inside its grounds, it’s cooling and refreshing to take a sluggish stroll all the best way to the temple hidden inside the place on the weekends, you might be able to probability upon a conventional Japanese marriage ceremony.
It’s so unbelievably tranquil and peaceable that it’s extremely arduous to think about that it’s located in Shibuya, one in every of Tokyo’s busiest wards.
2. Senso-ji Temple
Finished in 645, Senso-ji Temple is Tokyo’s oldest temple, and an iconic historic place situated in Asakusa.
Occupying a slightly big house, it’s shiny purple facade with imposing temple buildings together with a five-story pagoda are the enduring defining options, little doubt aiding to the temple being one in every of Japan’s most-visited religious websites yearly.
What’s distinctive about this Buddhist temple is a 200m buying road, Nakamise, main from the primary gate of Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) to the temple’s second gate of Hozomon. Lined alongside Nakamise are outlets that provide conventional native snacks and souvenirs, so there’s quite a bit to see and do whilst you start exploring Senso-ji Temple.
3. Gotoku-ji Temple
Gotoku-ji temple is by far probably the most distinctive temples not solely in Japan however world wide. The draw for many individuals in the direction of temples largely fall inside a number of broad classes of faith, historical past, and tradition.
You’ll instantly discover that Gotoku-ji Temple bucks that development a bit. Filled with Maneki-neko, or “luck-inviting cat” statues, it’s definitely an attention-grabbing sight as you probability upon these small “cats” sitting up with its entrance proper paw.
While there are a lot of variations to Maneki-nekos, those you’ll find at Gotoku-ji are symbols for good luck. Where are my cat lovers at? Here’s a temple to go to the following time you’re in Tokyo!
4. Nezu Shrine
Nezu Shrine is a hidden gem only a quick distance away from the ever-popular Ueno Park in Tokyo.
The shrine has ties to the Japanese Imperial household and maybe that partially explains its opulence. The shrine’s construction follows what the Japanese name gongen-zuruki, a kind of favor in constructing Shinto shrines.
The path towards Nezu Shrine is serene and delightful, set in opposition to a backdrop of lush greenery, ponds of carp, and small pathways framed with rows of shiny orange torii gates much like those on the well-known Fushimi-Inari Taisha in Kyoto.
5. Tenno-ji
We spherical off our record with one more hidden gem in Tenno-ji Temple, situated close to the very picturesque Yanaka Cemetery.
Founded in 1274, Tenno-ji Temple is without doubt one of the oldest Buddhist temples within the space however don’t let that idiot you into anticipating tall imposing facades. The temple grounds have gone via an uplift, with a contemporary-designed exterior wall enclosing a easy however elegant temple floor highlighted by a big, centuries-old stone Buddha.
Fun truth: Yanaka Cemetery used to belong to the temple however was later sectioned off after the Meiji Restoration which separated Shinto Buddhism and “imported” Buddhism.
The unique article was revealed on 13 August 2020. Last up to date by Discoverist Team as of 1 December 2022.