If you're visiting Atsuta-jingu and Shirotori Garden in the southern reaches of central Nagoya, then the walk from one to the other will take you through a quiet residential area, but one with a number of appealing neighbourhood temples and shrines. One of them is Hoji-ji, which has an understated charm and some interesting features: imposing guardians at the gate, a more than usually fierce dragon at the trough for purifying your hands and mouth, and a variety of Buddhist statues, one of whom looks very much like a sumo wrestler ready to rumble.
Peter Sidell @peter.sidell
I came to Japan from Manchester, England in 2003, and have travelled a lot since then, around Japan and in Asia. When I'm not working, I write satire and perform stand-up comedy in and around Tokyo. Check YouTube for a taste.
