Shinjō-in

Shinjō-in is a Buddhist temple set in Shinjuku's densely built area, displaying traditional wooden architecture and gardens surrounded by tall buildings. The structure preserves handcrafted details from an earlier era while standing completely immersed in the modern city.

The temple was founded as part of the Koyasan Shingon sect and embodies a long line of Buddhist traditions that survived Tokyo's transformation from the Edo period to the present. Its founding connected it to a large network of temples that continues to shape its religious identity today.

The temple serves as a place where city dwellers experience traditional Buddhist ceremonies and ancestral rituals that shape spiritual life in modern Tokyo. These practices connect people with religious roots maintained across generations.

The temple is easy to reach by public transportation since it sits in Shinjuku's well-connected area, with visitors able to arrive from multiple stations. The grounds are walkable and invite a short break within the busy neighborhood.

The temple is a rare example of old trees and quiet gardens surviving between commercial buildings and restaurants, offering visitors unexpected calm in the midst of the rush. This oasis feels completely out of place when you stumble upon it while walking through the shopping streets.