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Going to Annexes and Branch Shrines of Famous Shrines and Temples in Minato Ward, Tokyo: Let's Receive Benefits from Koyasan and Toyokawa Inari While in Tokyo!

Minato Ward is home to around 40 shrines and 280 temples, with some famous places including Zojoji and Nogi Shrine. Out of those, did you know that there are "annexes" that follow the famous head temple and "branch shrines" where the faraway gods of those shrines are enshrined in a faraway place? Today, we will be going on a tour of four of those annexes and branch shrines.

Koyasan Tokyo Annex: The Temple of Kobo Daishi Where You Can Even Experience Pilgrimage

First, we visited the "Koyasan Tokyo Annex" in Takanawa. For those visiting from outside Tokyo, the nearest station is Takanawa Gateway Station of the JR Yamanote Line.

Koyasan is where Kobo Daishi Kukai started Shingonshu 1200 years ago. The whole mountain, which is located in Koyacho, Wakayama prefecture, is worshipped as the temple precincts of Kongobuji. It is one of the most famous temples in the country.

The annex in Tokyo was founded in 1956 as the office of the student monks (A place for learning for monks researching Buddhism). After that, it moved to its current place in 1673 and served its role as a connection between Kongobuji and the Edo Shogunate. It got its current name right after the beginning of the Showa Era.

At the front gate along Nihonenoki Street, there is the statue of the Great Kukai Shonin. After going through the Sanmon Gate which was refurbished last year, rows of stone columns with Buddha statues on them will catch your eye. This is "Shikoku Hachijuhakkasho Osunabumi," derived from the Ohenro pilgrimage of Shikoku, which is the birthplace of Kobo Daishi. Under the stone blocks in front of the stone columns are the sands of the 88 sacred grounds. It is said that if you pray as you step on the blocks, you can receive the same benefits as the pilgrimage.

On the right, there are the "Hyakudoishi," which is the standard of the Hyakudo Mairi, and the "Myoujinja," which was rebuilt in 2015 to commemorate 1200 years of the opening of Koyasan. Other than that, there is the "Houisokuteikiten," where there is the footprint of Buddha showing the direction of Buddhagaya, India, where Shaka had its Enlightenment. There are many places that resemble the Koyasan Temple, which is often called "The Buddhism Theme Park."

Inside the Henshoden, the main building, there is the wooden Kobo Daishi statue donated in 1703 by Keishouin, the mother of Tsunayoshi Tokugawa. Also, Aizomemyouou and Fudoumyouou statues, side chaplains, are enshrined as well.

Shakyo events are open every day from 9 AM to 3 PM. Also, twice a month, on Saturday at 10 AM, the "Ajikan Jisshuu Tea Ceremony" is held (currently not held because of COVID-19). The temple holds many other events, so go check out their official website for more information.

Izumo Taisha Tokyo Branch: Let's receive power from the God of Matchmaking!

Next, we go to ride the Asakusa Line from Sengakuji Station and change trains at Daimon Station. We then ride the Oedo Line to Roppongi. After taking a right at Roppongi Street, we find the "Izumo Taisha Tokyo Branch."

The Izumo Taisha at Shimane prefecture is known as one of the most famous shrines in Japan that enshrine Ookuninushinookami, the god of the creation of Land. It is one of the places where its founding is written in 'Kojiki.'

Of the many branches around the country, the Tokyo branch in Roppongi is the only branch in Tokyo. Before, it was the Tokyo Branch Office founded inside Kanda Myoujin in 1878. The shrine was then built in 1882 in Kojimachi and moved to its current location in 1889. The current shrine was built in 1980.

After going up the stairs of the path, let's wash our hands and rinse our mouths at the Temizusha, and pray at the purification shrine to cleanse our hearts and bodies.

Next, we can pray at the main building, where large Shimenawa ropes are hung. The Ookuninushiookami married Suserihimenomikoto after overcoming many challenges. The Izumo Taisha, where the two lived, is known as "Japan's Number One Matchmaking God."

Next, we can pray at the main building, where large Shimenawa ropes are hung. The Ookuninushiookami married Suserihimenomikoto after overcoming many challenges. The Izumo Taisha, where the two lived, is known as "Japan's Number One Matchmaking God."
Izumo Taisha Tokyo Branch
Address: 7-18-5, Roppongi, Minato Ward, Tokyo

Eiheiji Annex Hasedera: The Fascinating large wooden Buddha sculpture "Azabu Daikannon"

The next temple, "Eiheiji Annex Hasedera," is a 15-minute walk from Izumo Taisha Tokyo Branch. It can be accessed from its nearest station, Omotesando Station in 10 minutes.

Eiheiji is the headquarters of Sotoshu, opened by Dogen Zenshi in 1244 in the Kamakura Era. The main temple in Fukui prefecture is known as a dojo where monks practice.

Before the Edo Period, the place where Hasedera was built was called "Shibuyagawara," and it is said that there was a small Kannon Hall that enshrined the Kannzeon Buddha Statue made with the same piece of wood as the Juichimen Kanzeon Buddha Statue in the Hasedera in Nara. With the Kannon Hall as its foundation, Hasedera was built by monk Monnanshoukan, a childhood friend of Ieyasu Tokugawa, after the opening of the Edo Shogunate.

The Eiheiji Office was founded in the mid-Taisho Era. Then, in 1949, it became the annex of Eiheiji. It held the role not only as a place of worship but as a practice dojo in Tokyo.

The temple was given 20000 tsubos of land at its founding, and it still retains its vast temple premises with a Dharma Hall, Monks' Hall, and Kannon Hall. There is also a garden where koi fish swim in the pond in the corner. It is filled with a quiet atmosphere where one wouldn't feel the hustle of the surrounding area.

The "Azabu Daikannnon" inside the Kannon Hall has been watching over the area with the enshrined Shakamuni-butsu. After it was built in Shotoku 6 (1716), the Juichimen Kanzeon Buddha Statue was burnt to the ground during World War II. It was then rebuilt in Showa 52 (1977). The 10-meter Buddha statue, which was sculpted from a piece of Camphor wood is one of the largest in Japan.

Every Monday night, a meditation session, "Monday Sanzenkai" is held (not held for COVID-19 prevention). You can sometimes see young monks practicing inside the temple premises. Looking at them practice makes us tighten up as well.

Toyokawa Inari Tokyo Annex: A Photogenic Atmosphere Surrounded by Numerous Foxes

To get to the fourth destination, "Toyokawa Inari Tokyo Annex," we ride the Minato Ward community bus "Chiibus" from "Minami Aoyama 7-chome" bus stop, close to Eiheiji Annex Hasedera. We ride on the bus that goes to Akasaka Mitsuke Station and hop off at "Toyokawa Inari-mae" bus stop.

You may imagine a shrine with foxes if you hear "Oinarisan," but the Toyokawa Inari, which is located in Aichi prefecture, is a Sotoshu temple named "Enpukuzan Myougonji." It opened in the Muromachi Period in the year Kakitsu gannen (1441) by Tokai Gieki Senshi. The Chinju of the temple, Toyokawa Dakinishinten, has the appearance of carrying rice and riding a white fox, therefore being named the Toyokawa Inari.

The Tokyo Annex has its roots in Oooka Echizennokami Tadasukekou, a famous administrator of Edo, inviting part of Toyokawa Inari to his residence in Akasaka Hitotsugi. It moved to its current location in Meiji 20 (1887), formally making it an annex of Toyokawa Inari. The nature-filled premises, while facing the lively Aoyama Street, has a quiet, calm atmosphere.

Toyokawa Inari is known for its benefits in a prosperous business. Also, the Yuuzuu Inari, known for benefits in treasures, the Kanae Inari, known to fend off bad relationships, and the Shiho Kannon, known for blessings of receiving children, are all there on the premises. Also, the seven gods are there in the area, such as the Ebisu-ten and Daikoku-ten. You can visit the Shichifukujin here.

Though the area can be seen in 10 minutes, there are many things to see. Many statues of foxes are placed all over the temple. There are many other photogenic spots such as the mountain path to the Okunoin lined with streamers dedicated by people whose wishes have been granted.

The tour is good to go around in a day, but you can divide it into a span of a few days, going one by one. It's difficult to go around Wakayama, Shimane, Fukui, and Aichi. Why not receive benefits from annexes and branches of these temples and shrines in Minato Ward?

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