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| The Gates to the Meiji Shrine |
Although Japan has two dominant religions – Shinto and Buddhism – locals seem quite utilitarian when it
comes to practicing, often choosing one or the other depending on which best fits the particular occasion. For example, many associate Shinto rituals with birth and
wishes for success and Buddhist practices with ceremonies around death and
remembrance.
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| Tying up the bad fortunes |
Japanese appear to believe very strongly in the power of a wish and good luck and many go to pray at the Shinto Shrines when they are
eager for something to go their way.
There are numerous good luck charms that people carry with them to
promote things like safety, good fortune and health.
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| A place to write wishes |
There are also some beautiful associated rituals. Making wishes is often a strategic
process involving the tossing of a coin, clapping or bowing and clasping one’s
hands together. There are also plaques for people to write down and then hang their wishes.
In addition, people
often collect their fortunes at the shrines. Those who
receive good fortunes carry those notes with them but those who receive bad
fortunes tie them to a nearby fence to ensure the bad fortunes are left behind when they leave.
MEIJI SHRINE:
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| Sake offerings |
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| Undergoing the cleaning ritual before entering |
Meiji Shrine in Shibuya is widely considered Tokyo’s greatest shrine and was built in 1920 to commemorate
Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. The
Emperor is credited with bringing Japan into the modern era during his reign in
the 1800s. The Shrine is visited
regularly by locals, particularly around New Years where over a million people
coming to make wishes for a good year ahead. Extensive offerings of sake and wine line the walkway to the actual shrine. While visiting the Shrine, we were lucky to stumble on a Shinto wedding taking place – with the
bride wearing a hathorn (a large hat to "cover her horns"!) and the bride and
groom and their immediate families marching through the square.
SENSO-JI:
Senso-ji is an ancient Buddhist
temple in Asakusa. It is Tokyo’s oldest
temple but has embraced modern elements to stay relevant and appeal to the youth. As an example,
it hosts Tokyo’s largest and most popular festival, Sanja Matsuri. At the entrance to the grounds is a large
“thunder gate”, featuring an enormous paper lantern that is said to weigh
700kgs. The gates open onto a thriving shopping arcade where local treats and knick knacks abound.
ZOJOJI TEMPLE:
The Zojoji Temple in Minato is a
shrine that is primarily and visited by locals, rather than travellers. It is located in the
business district and was abuzz during lunch hour as people came to enjoy the
outdoor spaces and take time for reflection.
The Temple leaders here have also worked hard to ensure its continued
relevance for today’s generation, often projecting installations onto the attractive buildings.
One of the touching features of this Temple is the Unborn
Children Garden which hosts rows of stone child statues representing
children who were lost before their time.
Parents can choose a statue in the garden and decorate it with small
clothing and toys. Most also have
pinwheels spinning the in the wind to embrace the free nature of the children
and also draw in more adults and children to reflect on the deeper message.
As Japan has one of the oldest average age populations in
the world, it is not surprising that they have a shopping neighbourhood that caters specifically to the older generation. Sugamo Shopping Street, its formal name, is often lovingly referred to as the “Harajuku of the old
ladies”. 
The street itself is flat and fully accessible, with gentle
slopes to separate the street from the sidewalk and the sidewalk from the
shops. This also helps to prevent
flooding from any rain. The main square has lots of benches with a wide open space in the center for people to gather.
