Founded in 1882 in Tokyo's Koto Ward, Fukagawa Fudo-do, also called the Fukagawa Fudo-son, is a branch temple of the well known Narita-san Shinshoji close to Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture. This temple is dedicated to the fearsome guardian deity Fudo Myô, a half naked being with a fearsome face, an aura of fire, and sword to smite demons. Within the Fudo-do is the main wooden effigy to the guardian deity but also one thousand more enshrined within a hallway. The modern building to the left of the main hall is covered in Sanskrit letters, connecting the temple to the origins of Buddhism in India.

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

Make sure you hang around to see the ceremonies called goma where the head priest lights a fire an blesses objects like talismans, purses, and other items by placing them over the flame to be purified (they're not actually burned in any way). These ceremonies happen several times a day and the main hall at Fukagawa Fudo-do is one of the most beautiful ones I've been to. It's not very traditional because it's more like a theater than a prayer space, but it does allow visitors to really see what takes place in these ceremonies. Enjoy!