A picture of a monkey, saru in Japanese (Photo: Peter Sidell)

Sarue-jinja Shrine

An intimate, ancient shrine in eastern Tokyo

Peter Sidell   - 1 min read

Near Sarue Onshi park and Sumiyoshi station in the eastern part of central Tokyo, Sarue-jinja is a small but appealing Shinto shrine. It's a mix of old and new: the main hall looks like it's of recent construction, but around the side there are some older objects that show just how long the shrine has been here: ancient stone miniature shrines and statues of guardian dogs, covered by lichens or weathered, worn and damaged with age.

Peter Sidell

Peter Sidell @peter.sidell

I came to Japan from Manchester, England in 2003, and have travelled a lot since then, around Japan and in Asia. When I'm not working, I write satire and perform stand-up comedy in and around Tokyo. Check YouTube for a taste.