Hello, fellow travel lovers!
This time, I fully enjoyed the charming, old-town atmosphere of 'Katsushika Shibamata.
The first place I visited was, of course, Taishakuten. Its formal name is Kyoeizan Daikyoji, but it's best known as the setting for the famous movie 'It's Tough Being a Man (Otoko wa Tsurai yo).
The Charm of Tora-san
I actually had never seen the movie before, but after watching a few short clips on YouTube, I got completely hooked (haha).
Tora-san can be a bit of a handful at times, but he's also straightforward, kind, and impossible to dislike. With Tora-san in mind, I headed to Nitenmon first.
Nitenmon is an impressive gate adorned with intricate carvings, said to be modeled after the opulent Yomeimon Gate of Nikko Toshogu Shrine.
The Sacred Water and White Snakes
In the shrine grounds, the rule is to walk around counterclockwise during your visit. After offering coins to the Jokyo Bodhisattva, I performed a purification ritual with the sacred water that Tora-san is said to have used for his first bath as a baby.
Behind the sacred water, I discovered white snakes carefully holding a 'golden poop'! This is definitely a sign of good fortune, especially for wealth!
I couldn't help but think, 'Maybe I'll win the lottery?' as I put my hands together and prayed to the golden poop (haha).
Sculpture Gallery: A Moment to Experience the Depth of Art
The sculpture gallery at Taishakuten is also a must-see spot.
Here, you'll find intricately carved sculptures layered in multiple dimensions, and I was truly impressed by the masterful craftsmanship.
Each sculpture is accompanied by a description explaining the scene depicted, and by reading these, you can gain a deeper understanding of the story the sculpture is trying to convey.
As I walked through, thinking 'Ah, I see!' and gaining a deeper understanding, it became clear that each piece is an emotional work with a story behind it.
Beautiful Suikeien
Next, I visited Suikeien, the garden located within the temple grounds.
At the entrance, there was a blue biwa (Japanese lute) arranged. Yes, blue! It's so unique and innovative.
The 'Jokyo no Ma' room, where a 1,500-year-old Nandina tree stands, left me in awe. Its presence is truly overwhelming.
This beautiful Japanese garden spreads out before you, and I saw skilled craftsmen carefully tending to it.
The koi and turtles were swimming peacefully, and it felt as though time flowed more slowly here.
Tora-san Omikuji
The last spot I visited was the Tora-san omikuji vending machine near the entrance of Taishakuten. As the theme song from 'Otoko wa Tsurai yo' played in the background, I drew an omikuji with one of Tora-san's famous quotes.
The result was 'Good Fortune' (Kichi)!
Tora-san's words, 'You have to warmly welcome someone who's been on a long journey,' really struck a chord with me. Tora-san is always returning from his long trips, isn't he? His words truly warmed my heart.
Next time, I plan to explore the deeper parts of Shibamata and enjoy discovering something new once again.
The journey continues... Wishing you all a wonderful trip! – TabiJun
Staying time here: 1 hour
