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Ikegami Honmonji
A Buddhist temple complex off the radar of many tourists in Tokyo is Ikegami Honmonji in Ikegami. Overlooking the Tama river plain below, visitors must first climb a steep set of 96 steps to reach the temple grounds. The temple area is spread out and has many cherry trees, beautiful when blossoming in early spring. In addition to a number of temples, there is a five-story pagoda on the temple grounds, which is extremely rare for Tokyo. The pagoda itself dates to 1608 and even survived a heavy bombardment of the neighborhood during World War II. The main temple is a very large structure, incredibly ornate inside with wonderful carvings, gilded artifacts and religious objects. Visitors are not allowed where services are held, however, the public area does offer a fairly good view. Next to the temple is a particularly large Buddhist cemetery as well that dates back hundreds of years. The monuments there, many uniquely designed, are found jumbled along small pathways interspersed with trees and bushes and the occasional sleeping cat. Wandering around the temple complex is pleasant and serene, surprisingly so as it is in the middle of a busy city.
Walking back to Ikegami station affords the opportunity to explore the Ikegami neighborhood, which has a small-town, close-knit atmosphere hard to find in many parts of the city. There are many small eating places as well as a number of stores selling traditional, Japanese snacks and family-run shops selling clothes and everyday items.
The best times to visit Ikegami Honmonji are during festivals times, like cherry blossom season and O-Eshiki, October 11 to 13, which commemorates the death of Nichiren Shonin, the founder of this particular Buddhist sect. This is an extravagant festival—over 700 years old— with a lantern parade, drumming, chanting and rituals. It attracts thousands of people from all over Japan.