Central Tokyo spot? category ?

At Gyoranji Temple, the principal image - Gyoran Kannon - is specially exhibited to the public on the second Saturday of May. On this day, anyone can enter the main hall to pray. It was an unusual Kannon Bodhisattva (Avalokitesvara), holding a basket containing fish in its right hand.

This temple was founded in 1611. It has been known as the "Shamisen Temple" since the burial of Ishimura Genzaemon , who is considered the originator of shamisen making. The shamisen is a traditional Japanese three-stringed instrument. In the spring, the cherry blossoms are illuminated at night.

This is the temple where the first French legation in Japan was established in 1859. It is designated as a historic site by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The exterior of the main hall is a modern building. It is the 26th temple on the Edo 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

It is a Jodo-sect temple. The grave of Ogyu Sorai, a Confucian scholar from the mid-Edo period (17th-18th centuries), is located within the temple grounds.

This shrine was founded in 1005. It enjoyed generous protection from the Tokugawa Shogunate and garnered a large following as the "Ise Grand Shrine of Tokyo."It is just a short walk from Hamamatsucho Station or Daimon Station, and Zojoji Temple is also nearby.

This area was originally a prison compound for housing inmates. Many people were executed here, including Yoshida Shoin. Daianrakuji Temple was built in 1875 to console the spirits of such people. The statue of Jizo Bodhisattva on the temple grounds has been enshrined to offer prayers for the repose of their souls.

It is a small shrine located in the city. It is usually quiet, but it bustles with worshippers during the New Year's Seven Lucky deities pilgrimage and the festival held on October 19th and 20th. The Bettara - a type of pickled daikon radish sold especially during festivals - has long been known as a local specialty.

It is a small shrine located right next to the Tokyo Stock Exchange. It is said to be the guardian deity of the securities industry. Although it is usually unmanned, a Shinto ritual is held there every year on April 1st. The stone in the shrine precincts is shaped like the helmet worn by samurai in the past.

This temple was founded in 1883 as the Tokyo branch of Minobusan Kuonji, the head temple of the Nichiren sect. The Daikokuten (Mahakala) enshrined here grants wishes when oil is poured over it. Anyone is free to do it, so please give it a try when you visit.

Nanzoin Temple was founded in 1348. It is famous for its Ksitigarbha bound with rope. I tied the Ksitigarbha statue with a rope while praying for my wish. The rope is provided at the temple. Each rope cost 100 yen. There is a ceremony on New Year's Eve where this rope is untied.