Those staying in one of the numerous hotels in the Shinagawa area should take advantage of their surroundings and go for a quick stroll around its neighborhoods. Exploring the immediate vicinity of your accommodations and getting your bearings is never a bad idea and can lead to unforeseen encounters.
From the main train station, Shinagawa, you can saunter north as you pass by the bank of hotels on your left until you reach Sengakuji Station. Head west up the hill until you reach Sengakuji Temple. The modest grounds offer a little bit of tranquility and nature and a chance for quiet reflection. You may find yourself next to a salaryman escaping the office for a few moments or a group of retirees relaxing on the benches near the shade-providing trees. There are a couple of souvenir stands near the entrance and a narrow path that winds its way around the perimeter wall of the temple and into charming local neighborhoods. It doesn't take more than a few minutes to traverse and is worth a quick exploration.
Should you decide to continue on and head up the ridge, you can travel along Takanawa 2-chome in a loop of sorts and back in the direction of the cluster of hotels closer to Shinagawa Station. Along the way you will see smaller temples serving the community that may offer a surprising view. I recently walked past the Koyasan Tokyo Betsuin temple to see a string of massive carp windsocks, known as Koinobori, blowing in the wind.
On the other side of the tracks, and moving in a southerly direction, is the houseboat area of Shinagawa-ura. Take a small step back in time and enjoy the area which manages to retain a bit of an old fishing town atmosphere — even as skyscrapers tower above the canals. More traditional wooden houses with tiny gardens and pebble pathways intermix with high-rise living amongst the multiple train lines that weave their way around the ward.
It may seem counter-intuitive to just go for a walk around the block, especially if the typical sites of interest aren't detailed in any guidebook. But if you're staying in Shinagawa, on business or holiday, a quick jaunt through nearby streets might be a good way to discover something unexpected.
