About ten or fifteen minutes' walk north of Fujisawa station there's a cluster of neighborhood temples and shrines, of which Yugyoji is the largest and most interesting. As you explore the grounds you'll find a diverse range of statues, including one of the Kannon standing near an elegant pagoda, both reflected in a calm pond. There's plenty of enjoyment in the details - the cat and dog statues by the main hall are checking each other out warily, while on the other side some statue babies are reaching up to their mother.
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.
