Gohyakurakanji

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Hidden just around the corner from Ryusenji in Meguro, Gohyakurakanji, though from the outside it doesn't particularly look like one, is very different from most other temples. Inside are wooden effigies of monks who attained enlightenment each one carved by the same monk starting in 1691. Due to fires throughout history and in particular the fire bombs of WWII, of the 536 original wooden statues only 278 remain intact today. Visitors are able to walk through halls filled with these statues and even attend ceremonies in a main hall with massive wooden statues of Buddhist deities while also being surrounded by past monks. 

For the casual: 9. For the educated: 9.

Gohyakurakanji is a bit expensive to enter, but it is absolutely worth it. To stand in halls filled with individual wooden effigies of real people is not a common experience for most. The smell of the wood also is a major allure to the great beauty of the temple. 

 

Ryusenji

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Also known as the "Dragon Spring Temple", Ryusenji is a major temple in the city of Meguro, slightly southwest of Shibuya. The temple is of the Tendai sect, the dominant sect of Buddhism in Japan prior to the 12th century and the rise of Zen with the warriors governments. The temple is home to effigies of the fearsome deities called Myô. These Myô are often half naked and have auras of fire blazing behind them. Ryusenji is known for its Fudo Myô effigy with distinctive black eyes (the effigy gave the name of Meguro to the city which literally means "black eyes"). The temple was built in 808 by the monk Jikakudaishi Ennin and following a dream featuring Fudo Myô, he carved a wooden sculpture of the deity and housed it in the temple.

For the casual: 9. For the educated: 8. 

Ryusenji is a very cool temple which is definitely off the beaten path. Requiring a bit of extra navigation, the work is well worth it to turn the corner and see the first gate to Ryusenji in its red glory. Passing through the first gate, visitors come across a pond surrounded by various images but mostly that of Fudo Myô. Climbing the stairs to the temple itself is like climbing a stairway to heaven as the trees above block out light leaving the temple to shine ahead. The temple itself is beautiful with well kept gardens and additional statues all around the main building. 

The first gate at the base of the hill.

Occasionally, statues will have a spring nearby with a cup and it's good luck to toss some water onto the statue; this statue of Fudo Myô is one of those statues.

The incense pit in the middle of the stairs is to purify the visitors with smoke. You can purchase your own incense to add to the pit, then waft the smoke over your head and to areas of you body you would like healed.

 

Myohonji

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Myohonji, located in the southeast hills of Kamakura, is a Nichiren sect Buddhist temple. Founded by Nichiren in 1260, it is one of the oldest Nichiren temples in Japan. Further connected to other temples and shrines in Kamakura by a mountain trail, Myohonji is one of the key temples in the area. 

For the casual: 7. For the educated:6.

Myohonji is a great little temple nestled into the hillside. The monks of the temple take care of the variety of plants on the temple grounds making it one of the most beautiful natural temples I've seen. With a massive main hall and a statue to Nichiren to the left of it, the temple itself is also fairly impressive.

The front gate to the temple at the base of a short flight of stairs.

The main hall of Myohonji.

 

Sojiji

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There's not much I could find on the history of this temple other than it is of the Shingon sect of Buddhism in the town of Nishiarai Daishi in northern Tokyo, and is considered one of the great temples of the Kanto area.

For the casual: 6. For the educated: 4.

The only real drawback for Sojiji is its location. Just far enough north by subway and elevated train, it is a little far to get to. Once there, the town and the temple really stand out. The temple is huge and the gardens surrounding it are really beautiful to walk through. My friend and I were there towards the end of the day so it was fairly quiet, but it was still a great place to visit and the monks were very very nice. 

Main hall of Sojiji.

This is a statue of Jizô, a guardian monk/deity of children. He is indeed wearing a shawl while being completely covered in salt. Pouring salt over the statue is supposed to give you good luck and protection from illness.