Zojo Temple

Zojo-​ji Temple consists of the Sangedatsu Gate (the only structure that survived the war) and the Great Hall. It’s not huge, but you can see the Tokyo Tower right behind the Great Hall. It sure makes for good photo ops!
When we were leaving, we saw the Unborn Children Garden. It consists of rows and rows of stone statues that represents the unborn children of Japan. This included babies that were miscarried, aborted, and stillborns. Besides dressing up the statue and leaving a small toy, parents also leave a gift for the guardian of unborn children Jizo. This offering is to ensure these children are brought to the afterlife.

When I lived in Japan I would often go to this temple on weekend afternoons.
There are rows and rows of statues representing the souls of babies who were miscarried or aborted. Families of such a child can adopt a statue and it represents taking care of the child. If the family does not take care of the child then according to Japanese legends, they will spend eternity trying to create stacks of blocks but the blocks will always be knocked down by monsters. Next to each statue you can see a placard with the name of the family who has adopted the statue. You can see a few non-​Japanese names written in English.
Some people are creeped out by the idea of the statues representing the souls of aborted babies. I think having rows and rows of the statues next to each other creates an interesting visual effect.
There is also an interesting temple hall with lots of golden Japanese Buddhist statues.
Unfortunately, they know have a street performer with a baboon performing tricks in the center of the temple grounds most days. It really ruins the entire experience.
Still good though; just ignore the baboon.

We visited about 500 shrines on our visit to Japan, but this was our first. Like most of the shrines there is a lot of beauty to behold, but mind your manners as this isn’t a place to be rowdy and disrespectful. You’re observing people who value things most of us will never be able to truly appreciate.
It’s a beautiful location and it’s right next to the Tokyo Tower so you can get both done rather easily. It’s an amazing shrine, but almost every single one in Tokyo is. Spend your time here and don’t rush it. It’s a beauty.

Sobering at the temple dedicated to the dead children, but beautiful nonetheless… and some very good photo opportunities with the temple and the Tokyo Tower in the background (old meets new etc.).
If it’s a sunny day, it’s well worth a visit…

My first review of 2015!
Hatsumode at Zojoji Temple.
Where to go for my «hatsumode» (first prayer of the year)?
I was still undecided on whether to go to a Shinto Shrine or Buddhist Temple. Now, hold on.
Isn’t that funny?

Do people in other countries as they are leaving their home to pray decide on the religion on the fly? Does anyone say «Boy, should I pray at a mosque, Catholic Church, or Buddhist temple today?»
Well, this is common for many Japanese people. Not all, but pretty common. Many choose the place to pray without knowing the teachings of that temple or shrine.
I decided on Zojoji for the follow reasons:
1) Close to home
2) Not as crowded as Meiji Jingu or Asakusa
3) The view with Tokyo Tower as the backdrop is nice.
In the morning of January 1, there was absolutely no wait. No security with loud speakers doing crowd control. Very peaceful, yet, festive. A monkey performer was making her monkey perform tricks. A bunch of food stalls were out, selling Okonomiyaki, Takoyaki, grilled corn, etc. Perfect.
Before leaving home: Don’t forget to bring last year’s good luck charms. Yes, they expire. You cannot just dump it in a garbage can, so you bring it to the temple to get is burned.
What to do: Go to the incense pod, and lure smoke on your head. It’s a ritual. Head up the stairs to the main building where you can see the statue of Buddha. Throw in a coin. I pitched 100 Yen. Bow, Pray, bow. Buy a new good luck charm. Leave the old expired charm with the guy collecting them. I simplified things, but that’s about it.
AS A TOURIST: Zojoji is usually in Tomo’s Tokyo tour for foreigners. I take them here after visiting Tokyo Tower. It is one of the best temples to take pictures. During sakura cherry blossom season, this place is super pretty. As you are facing the temple, go to the right side. This is the north side of the temple. Here, you will see a hundreds of mini-​sized stone statues. It is worth taking a picture here.
HISTORIANS: Temple was founded in 1393, but at a different location. It was moved to the current location in 1598. The best place to visit for history fans is the grave of 6 Tokugawa Shoguns (Note that 1^st generation Tokugawa Ieyasu’s grave is in Nikko and not here). Graves are in the back of the temple. You need to pay 500 Yen to enter.
CONCLUSION: The best time to visit is during the cherry blossom season in April. I highly recommend it.

A proximité du de la Tōkyō Tower, le temple Zōjō-​ji se lève fièrement et offre surtout un superbe point de vue pour les photographes.
Nettement moins fréquenté que d’autres grands temples et sanctuaires de Tōkyō, ce complexe est tout de même assez impressionnant de part sa taille.
En passant la bâtisse faisant office de porte du temple, l’oeil est d’abord attiré par le magnifique cèdre sacré planté par le président américain (et ancien général) Ulysse Grant lors de sa visite au temple en 1879.
Sans être particulièrement séduit par l’architecture des bâtiments, on apprécie tout de même cette visite et le calme qui règne en ce lieu.
Pour avoir eu la chance d’assister aux cérémonies du passage à la nouvelle année, ce temple est vraiment exceptionnel pour cette occasion. La perspective avec la Tōkyō Tower en fond est remarquable et l’ambiance est festive et chaleureuse. J’en garde un magnifique souvenir.

There are other larger and more magnificent temples than Zojoji Temple. I wouldn’t go out of the way just to see it if you’re not going to the Tokyo Tower. Even if you were going to the tower, if you don’t have time, don’t sweat not seeing Zojoji Temple. You can make up for it by going to Senjoji Temple in Asakusa or going to Kyoto.

This is very close to Tokyo Tower.
So you can see it from here.
On the way from Hamamatucho Station to Tokyo tower, you can find this.
And you can go through this temple to the tower, so you’d better drop in here desperately.
I heard in the movie «Wolverine Samurai» this temple was used.
This is very calm.
Though there are tall buildings near here and this is in business district, but the calmness here is a kind of oasis.
You can feel refreshed here.

Temple located right by Tokyo Tower.
It’s a nice and calming walk through the tree lined street and in the area. Nice place to drop by after doing some sight seeing.
Quite a spectacular view to have the traditional serene temple back dropped with the blazing red Tokyo Tower.
Tip: head to Le Pain Quotidien located nearby for a croissant or café and enjoy it around the temple.