This is the second in a series of 5 posts this week focusing on Japan. The topics will be in this order, Travel, Temples, Skyline, Food and Crypto.
The other week my wife wanted to take me to the local temple to pray that our businesses do well this year. The temple she took me to is called Koyasu and is quite an interesting shrine right in the middle of downtown Hachioji. Come walk with me around the shrine grounds.
As is the case with Koyasu, many larger shrines are complexes with different kami-sama (gods) to pray to. When you enter the grounds there is a large building straight ahead, with a stage building to the left, another smaller shrine next to it and a large koi pond on the right side of the complex.
We decided to visit the koi pond first.
Before you head down the steps to the pond you can purchase small cans of bread to feed the fish. We purchased one for about $1 and walked down the path
When I got to the stairs I couldn't believe my eyes. The pond stretched under the adjacent buildings. It was a pretty cool sight and then the koi showed up.
We took a few minutes to feed them and laugh as they went after the bread. They funny part was they were so fat and possibly over fed that they took their time reaching the food.
When we finished tossing the last of our bread crumbs we moved to the shrine next to us and prayed.
We turned around and made our way back up to the courtyard to the main shrine.
Temples & Shrines in Japan are a site. Like the great church's of Europe, each design is different and impressive. The usage of woods, metals, paints and nature to accent the buildings is amazing.
After we said a prayer here, we exited to the right and found a hallway that led to another courtyard so we followed it through.
This back area had several shrines that had much more color to them.
There was a long line of shrines on the right, one on the left and a larger one straight ahead. We started with the one on the left, but my wife stopped me. She told me it was a shrine for lost children. Children who had passed away.
We turned to the main shrine which was for Daikokuten, one of the seven lucky gods.
We made an offering and then a prayer. Then turned to head out past the last row of shrines.We made an offering and then a prayer. Then turned to head out past the last row of shrines.
Then we were back into the courtyard. It was a beautiful experience right in the heart of our city. Unless you live here, you would have no idea the treasures this complex holds. That is one of the wonderful things about Japan, there is always something hiding, waiting to be explored.
And now for the bonus, The temples at Takahatafutdo!
Takahatafudo is 5.1 kilometers from my house. I see it every time I take the train downtown. The giant, red pagoda is visible from miles away.
The original temple was built sometime during 764-1185 to honor the buddhist diety Fudo-myoo. Since that time it has expanded an modernized with the pagoda being it's crown jewel. I am going to stop talking and just share some pictures. It's a large complex built against a small mountain full of trails to hike and reflect on.
Thank you for reading. Check back tomorrow for Tokyo skylines.