Zojoji, Tokugawa Shogun’s family temple at TokyoHamamatsucho Station
A short walk from the Hamamatsucho Station on the JR Train we came to the Zojoji Temple, dedicated as the Tokugawa Shogun’s family temple. The temple is situated below the famous Tokyo Tower, and highlights the Japanese balance between the past and the present.
As we walked towards the temple, the entrance became obvious and stated that we were about to enter into an area of significance and importance.
Entering through the massive doors, we were brought into a giant courtyard that stretched out in all directions. It is important to remember that this is basically in the heart of Tokyo, where millions live in extremely close quarters.
To the left 
of the courtyard stands a Buddhist statue representing the Jōdo school of Buddhism
In front of the main temple sits a statue of a Buddhist monk in meditation
The main temple is still used for prayer and worship, but no pictures are allowed. A smaller temple sits to the right and is used by the resident monks as a somewhat of a gift shop where visitors can purchase small religious symbols and charms. Some of the charms are whimsical, while others are tiny works of art.
In this small temp
le it is possible to take pictures, and though the temple is small, it is full of the details of incredibly beautiful craftsmanship.
To the right of the courtyard is a garden of statues of hund
reds of little children. This garden is dedicated to Unborn Children and parents can choose a statue to adorn with gifts and toys.
Their is a small shrine at the entrance to the garden where parents can pray and make a small gift to provide protection and deliverance of the children into the afterlife.
Behind the temple and to the left of the Childrens’ Garden is the graveyard for 6 of the 15 shoguns of the Tokugawa family. Which is a peaceful area full of beautiful pegodas and grave markers.
