On a patron’s first visit to a temple or shrine of the year, called the “hatsumode,” many people purchase an omikuji. An omikuji is a little strip of paper that tells the patron their fortune for the year. Omikuji … Read More
Located in the same district as the famous Tsukiji Fish Market, the Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple is a Buddhist temple that falls under the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha denomination of Buddhism. The Honzan, or “mother temple,” of this denomination lies in Kyoto. … Read More
I often ask people what they think of when I mention Japan, and the most common response I receive is “sushi.” A big staple in Japanese culture is this delicious cuisine, and the best place to try it is at … Read More
This past week I had the opportunity to attempt zazen meditation at both a Rinzai-zen school and a Soto-zen school. Since the differences between these two schools is highly debated, I will explain only what I, an English-speaking foreigner, could … Read More
Every time I visit a temple or shrine in Japan, I always find myself thinking, “This is it. This is the most amazing shrine/temple in Japan.” With thousands upon thousands of shrines and temples, it is hard to pick a … Read More
Begin by getting off at the Minami-Senju Station. Walk three minutes to the Enmei-ji Temple. Enmei-ji Temple- The Enmei-ji Temple is a site where many executions took place during the Edo period. Back when these grounds were used as the … Read More
The Kencho-ji Temple is the oldest Zen training monastery in Japan, and ranks first out of five temples that are called “Kamakura’s Five Mountain Zen Temples.” This temple was built in 1253, which was the fifth year of the Kencho … Read More
Every second weekend of the month, the Taiyo no Marche (or Market of the Sun) is held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Kachidoki. This event is quite similar to an American farmer’s market, consisting of several rows of booths, each booth … Read More
The Ryokan Sawanoya is a traditional “ryokan,” which is a style of Japanese inn that dates back to the Edo period. This hotel has been open for decades and is completely family-run. The sweetest elderly couple maintain the inn and … Read More
The Nezu Shrine ranks amongst some of the oldest shrines in Japan and among the most beautiful shrines in Japan on my personal list. The shrine is close to Ueno Park and is situated on a relatively large plot of … Read More
Hi, my name is Michelle Alleman and I am here today at the Ryokan Sawanoya, which is a traditional Japanese hotel which uses the traditional style of sleeping on tatami mats and using the same bathroom for the entire floor. … Read More
A question that many foreigners to Japan seem to ask is, “Are Japanese people religious?” This is a very fascinating question, considering that most Japanese people practice two religions, rather than just one or none at all. To many … Read More