Next to Kitazawa Hachiman shrine, a few minutes' walk from the station in Tokyo's trendy Shimokitazawa district, Shingan-ji is a small but attractive Buddhist temple with some interesting features. As well as the usual array of statues and carvings, there are some well-preserved painted panels under the eaves of a side hall, and two structures - one old and traditional, one strange and modern - housing small statues of Buddhist deities.
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.
