If you're out in the riverside Tokyo suburb of Futako-Tamagawa, ten or fifteen minutes to the west on the train from Shibuya, then it's worth walking a few minutes away from the huge shopping centre that's the area's main draw.
In a quiet residential area just to the north of the station and shopping centre, there are a handful of ancient temples and shrines, of which Tamagawa Daishi is one of the most impressive.
I came first to a small shrine at the side, with a path through plentiful greenery to a small worship hall, which was pleasant in a low-key way.
Then I came to the main part of the temple, which is home to a population of various, interesting Buddhist statues, small and large, serene and fierce. There's one very imposing statue of a giant pilgrim, his head above the treetops: I didn't measure it, but it must be at least seven or eight metres tall.
Despite this, it's actually a working neighbourhood temple, and I enjoy thinking that people come here or walk past every day and think nothing of it.
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.
