Holly's Reviews Page 5/5

Atami Plum Garden

Established in Meiji 19 (1886) by the wealthy Yokohama businessman Sobei Motogi, this urban park has its roots in a plum garden. Covering approximately 44,000 square meters along the Ichigawa River, the vast garden boasts 469 plum trees of 60 different varieties, including specimens over 100 years old.

• Shizuoka
• Parks & Gardens

Atami Plum Garden has nearly 60 varieties and more than 470 plum trees. Each tree has a sign showing its variety. The blooming season runs from January through March, and if you time it right, you can enjoy them together with the Atami cherry blossoms.

There are walking paths and five bridges set along the valley stream. During the Plum Festival, there are food stalls and performances, but since the garden is so spacious, it still feels comfortable and pleasant for flower viewing despite the lively atmosphere.

Seeing all the different plum blossoms here also made it easier for me afterward to tell the difference between plum blossoms and cherry blossoms.

Izusan Shrine

Izusan Shrine is an ancient shrine dating back to the 5th or 4th century BCE. It was established to enshrine the deity Izu-san Okami, believed to be the origin of the name Izu Province. The shrine grounds span an approximate 40,000 tsubo (about 132,000 square meters) from their perch atop a highland at 170 meters, with the main shrine at its center and extending both towards the mountain and the sea.

• Shizuoka
• Shrines & Temples

Izusan Shrine is located on the mountainside in Atami. After climbing the approach, you can get a view of Sagami Bay.

The shrine is now famous for the matchmaking legend of Minamoto no Yoritomo and Hojo Masako, but what drew me in even more were the red and white twin dragons on the grounds. The whole twin-dragon concept feels super powerful. Especially with the dragon on the goshuin stamp, it just has a different kind of energy.

There’s also a weeping cherry tree on the grounds. Unfortunately, I didn’t visit at the right time. Based on the map reviews and photos, it looks beautiful when it’s in bloom.

What I found most fun was the “inome” treasure hunt. I thought it would be hard to find them, but after unexpectedly spotting one through my camera, I realized they were pretty easy to look for. Since inome are said to bring good luck, I felt pretty lucky that I was able to find them all before leaving.

Kinomiya Shrine

This shrine has long been worshipped in Atami as the God of fortune and luck resides. The shrine grounds are home to Okusu, a sacred camphor tree, which is designated as a Natural monument. This is also popular as one of the best places with spiritual energy in Japan.

• Shizuoka
• Shrines & Temples

Kinomiya Shrine is an important guardian shrine in the Atami area and the head shrine of all Kinomiya shrines nationwide. It gets very crowded on holidays, and you can really feel the authority of the head shrine.

The grounds are famous for the great sacred camphor tree, which is said to be over 2,000 years old. They say that walking around it once can add one year to your life. There is also a slightly smaller camphor tree that is still over 100 years old. Both were stunning to see because the sacred trees are so impressive.

The shrine office is also very modern, with a vibe like a stylish shop in Ginza. In addition to charms, they have many fresh and creative designs for matchmaking items. I told myself I wouldn’t buy anything, but I still couldn’t resist bringing one home.

What was a little special this time was that the fortune I drew at the shrine was unexpectedly accurate. It gave me a small sense of good luck for the rest of my trip.

Kishimojin-do

Kishimojin-do is a temple that worships “Shiboshin,” a god for safe childbirth and also child rearing. The line of zelkova trees along the path that leads to the temple from the Kishibojinmae stop is designated as one of Tokyo’s natural monuments. A must-see within the temple’s grounds is a huge gingko tree approximately 700 years old.

• Ikebukuro
• Shrines & Temples

I mainly came for the Zoshigaya Handmade Market, which is held at Kishimojin-do and Otori Shrine. All the items are sold directly by the creators, with none of those wholesale-type goods. Walking around feels like visiting a lifestyle craft exhibition, and every stall has its own personality.

I have to say, the old temple buildings, the thousand-year-old ginkgo tree, and the artisan booths come together to create a truly unique scene. On market days, Kishimojin-do has a completely different atmosphere from its usual day-to-day look.

Hidden within the grounds is Kamikawaguchiya, an old-fashioned candy shop founded in 1781. You can also try the limited-edition grilled dango from Habutae Dango at Daikokudo. Aside from market days, this dango is only available on weekends. If you happen to come across it, I highly recommend giving it a try.

Toraya Akasaka Branch

Founded in Kyoto during the late Muromachi period, Toraya expanded to Tokyo in 1869, following the capital's move from Kyoto to Tokyo. Although the Kyoto shop continued its operations, Toraya established its presence in Akasaka, Tokyo from 1879. In 1964, they relocated to their current location, and in 2018, the entire store underwent a renovation and celebrated its grand reopening.

• Akasaka, Roppongi, Azabu-Juban
• Sweets Shop & Desserts Shop

Toraya was founded in Kyoto and once served as a confectioner to the Imperial Palace. Their signature items are definitely the yokan and red bean paste.

The Akasaka branch has a warm, open atmosphere, with a low-rise building, large glass windows, and a wood-toned interior. It really elevates the whole wagashi experience.

For wagashi lovers, if you have the time to come here, you absolutely should. Try the seasonal flavors. My only regret is that my stomach wasn’t big enough to order everything.

Susano Shrine

Established in 795 during the Heian period, this venerable shrine has the largest parish area in the Arakawa district and continues to garner deep respect from the locals. The shrine is dedicated to the brave deity "Susano-Okami," who vanquished the serpent Yamata-no-Orochi, and "Asuka-Okami," revered as "Ebisu-sama" and associated with the prosperity of commerce and thriving businesses.

• Ueno, Nippori
• Shrines & Temples

Susano Shrine is located in a residential area of Minami-Senju. My hotel happened to be nearby, so I discovered it by chance.
In spring, the shrine displays hina dolls donated by local residents. With the peach blossoms and the shrine buildings in the background, it’s not huge, but you can really feel the local festival atmosphere.
Since I was short on time, I arrived a little too early, around after 9, but luckily I still got to see some of it. I felt very fortunate.

Toyokawa Inari Tokyo Betsuin

Toyokawa Inari Tokyo Betsuin is the official Tokyo branch of Toyokawa Inari, one of Japan’s three major Inari temples, originally located in Toyokawa City, Aichi Prefecture. While "Inari" typically refers to a Shinto shrine dedicated to fox spirits, Toyokawa Inari is actually a Soto Zen Buddhist temple formally named Toyokawakaku Myogonji, and its Tokyo Betsuin is likewise a Buddhist temple-not a shrine.

• Akasaka, Roppongi, Azabu-Juban
• Shrines & Temples

Although Toyokawa Inari Tokyo Betsuin has “Inari” in its name, it’s actually a Buddhist temple known for prayers related to good fortune, career luck, and popularity. It’s said that many Japanese entertainers come here to pray as well.
There are lots of fox statues throughout the grounds. At Yuzu Inari, you can receive a 10-yen coin, which feels a bit like Taiwan’s “money mother” good-luck coin. I saw several Japanese visitors returning to give thanks, and I hope I’ll be able to do the same next time.
Also, their little fox figurines are round and adorable! You can take one home for just 500 yen. The temple even thoughtfully has a coin exchange machine, making it easy for everyone to get change and bring a little fox home. So considerate!

Hanazono Shrine

From long ago, the shrine located here has held an important Shinto deity for all of Shinjuku. It exists quietly among the shopping malls and eateries lining Shinjuku's downtown streets.

• Shinjuku, Okubo, Yoyogi, Yotsuya
• Shrines & Temples

Hanazono Shrine is located in the busy Shinjuku area. The shrine’s vivid red color looked striking in the sunlight, and as someone seeing it for the first time, it made a strong visual impression. The fallen ginkgo leaves in autumn added even more depth to the scene.

I came this time for the open-air market held every Sunday morning. It isn’t a large market, but it has a nice mix of Showa-era vintage items and everyday goods. There were quite a few Western visitors here as well. It’s a good spot for anyone who enjoys slowly hunting for finds in a relaxed atmosphere.

Gotokuji Temple

A Soto school temple situated in Setagaya ward and the birthplace of Manekineko. In 1480, Masatada Kira, a lord of Setagaya, established a temple called Kotokuin, in 1659, the temple’s name was changed to Gotokuji.

• Jiyugaoka, Sangenjaya, Setagaya, Futako-Tamagawa
• Shrines & Temples

The lucky cats at Gotokuji Temple are actually only in the Manekineko Hall. In other areas of the temple, you can have fun looking for hidden cats here and there. The hall is packed with tons of lucky cats, so I was a little worried it might feel overwhelming, but it was much better than I expected. I came especially early because I wanted to buy a lucky cat, but unfortunately they were already sold out. Instead, I took the ginkgo trees next to the hall and the cat sunbathing nearby as unexpected little highlights of this visit.

Imado Shrine

This ancient shrine of authentic lineage is known for bringing blessings in matchmaking because the deities worshipped here are 'Izanagi-no-Mikoto' and 'Izanami-no-Mikoto', considered the first couple in Japan. Since 2008, the shrine has regularly held 'matchmaking meetings', thus becoming more widely known as a shrine where you can pray for a good match. It attracts crowds not only on weekends but also on weekdays from those hoping for a successful relationship.

• Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree
• Shrines & Temples

Although it’s a bit of a walk from Senso-ji Temple, luckily my hotel was nearby. I rushed over to Imado Shrine and made it about ten minutes before the shrine office closed, so I was able to buy a lucky cat charm and a small ceramic cat for praying for my wish to be fulfilled.
Unfortunately, the ginkgo tree I had seen in map reviews was already past its peak. I missed the scene of the ginkgo leaves, ema plaques, and rickshaws all together, so I’ll have to plan another visit next time.