Hôjôji

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Hôjôji is a small temple across the street from Waseda University in Shinjuku Ward. Originally a part Ana-Hachimangû, Hôjôji houses a statue of Amida Buddha which was originally found in a cave at Ana-Hachimangû and then later replaced by a similar Amida statue given to the shrine by the Tokugawa Shogun. Originally like most shrines and temples in Japan, Ana-Hachimangû was a hybrid site with both Buddhist and Shinto deities enshrined at one location, but following the separation of Shinto and Buddhism by the Meiji Emperor, Hôjôji was established to house the Buddhist aspects of the shrine. With the vast majority of Tokyo burned to the ground in the fire bombings, Ana-Hachimangû and Hôjôji were reconstructed as two separate buildings even though the only division between the two is a chain-link fence. 

For the casual: 3. For the educated: 3.

Hôjôji is a great little temple with ponds and statues to accentuate its beauty, but it doesn't hold up to other temples to see. Even though it's in a prominent area of Tokyo, Hôjôji seems to be rairly visited and when I asked for a Goshuin, the monk that writes them was rarely there and had no schedule as to when he would be there. Check it out if you're nearby, but there really isn't much.

 

Genkokuji

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Situated right below Suwa Jinja in Nishi Waseda, Genkokuji is a small temple which used to be the Edo residence of a provincial lord. Back in the Edo period, provincial lords were required to make annual visits to Edo and spend time in the capital so that the Shogun could keep an eye on them all. Genkokuji used to be the estate for one of these lords when they were required to live in the city. 

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

Like Suwa Jinja, Genkokuji is a small and pleasant temple which is off the radar of most people other than those who visit. But for its small scale and seemingly closed doors, Genkokuji will always be held in a special place in my heart. When I went to visit, the nun living there was so excited to welcome Westerners and especially students on study abroad at Waseda University (key emphasis on the Waseda part) that she gave me my Goshuin and then invited my friend and I into the main hall, which from what I could understand was kept off limits to most people. It was an amazing experience to see the ornate decorations within the temple and the pristine yard below which had been maintained since the temple was a villa. Now typically you're not allowed to take photos of the inside of a temple or shrine, but we were allowed to hence the photo below. I would highly recommend visiting because it is off the beaten path. 

 

Zenkokuji

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Originally built as a larger temple complex by order of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Zenkokuji caught fire and the whole complex burned down except for the hall devoted to Bishamonten, one of the Seven Gods of Fortune, and one of the Heavenly Kings which guard Buddhas and Bodhisattva while they work. This was taken as a sign and the current Zenkokuji was renovated to house the statue of Bishamonten. 

For the casual: 7. For the educated: 4.

The attraction to Zenkokuji is more than just the temple. The temple itself is fairly small but very beautiful. The main attraction is the surrounding neighborhood which is just west of Iidabashi Station on Waseda Dori (Waseda Street). Great little shops which cater to tourists but are of much better quality than those found in areas like Shinjuku and Shibuya.