I will say this is one of Tokyo's many best kept secrets - a sleepy lil suburb - right smack in the city, easy to get to, so historically rich, so beautiful to behold. Shibamata was made famous as the setting for a long-running J-drama decades ago. I read about this place in Lonely Planet before a recent trip to Tokyo and in a spur of the moment, popped over on a gorgeous sunny day a couple of weeks ago. The photos speak for themselves. The short walk from the train station through Taishakuten-Sando is akin to a walk back in time. Quaint lil wooden shophouses (with only 4 digit telephone numbers!!! displayed on their signboards harking back to the 1940s/50s) hawking senbei (rice crackers) in huge glass containers, handmade soba (noodles), unagi (eel) line the street. The tourists milling about are all locals. The foreign tourists have not caught on to this place yet. The small temple Taishakuten stands majestically at the end of the street. One takes in the immaculately cared-for pine tree right infront of the temple, which arms extend several metres across the temple grounds (i hv included the explanation of the pine tree in a photo uplosded here). I cannot fathom how many generations of dedicated gardening artisans had tended to make this pine tree such an aesthetic sight to behold today. Do pay for the entrance ticket into the back of the temple - you get to see amazingly intricate 3D wood carvings on the side walls of the temple - depicting heavenly scenes of gods and their relationships with the mortal world, as well as flying cranes and swirling clouds and thunder and lightning. Next proceed to the inner garden. Take a breather, hv a cup of free green tea from the dispenser, bask in the blessings from Nature. It is a small garden but it is enough to bring some respite to a jaded soul. I concluded the outing with a meal at the soba shop on the quaint shopping street. Made for a perfect finale.

I will say this is one of Tokyo's many best kept secrets - a sleepy lil suburb - right smack in the city, easy to get to, so historically rich, so beautiful to behold. Shibamata was made famous as the setting for a long-running J-drama decades ago. I read about this place in Lonely Planet before a recent trip to Tokyo and in a spur of the moment, popped over on a gorgeous sunny day a couple of weeks ago. The photos speak for themselves. The short walk from the train station through Taishakuten-Sando is akin to a walk back in time. Quaint lil wooden shophouses (with only 4 digit telephone numbers!!! displayed on their signboards harking back to the 1940s/50s) hawking senbei (rice crackers) in huge glass containers, handmade soba (noodles), unagi (eel) line the street. The tourists milling about are all locals. The foreign tourists have not caught on to this place yet. The small temple Taishakuten stands majestically at the end of the street. One takes in the immaculately cared-for pine tree right infront of the temple, which arms extend several metres across the temple grounds (i hv included the explanation of the pine tree in a photo uplosded here). I cannot fathom how many generations of dedicated gardening artisans had tended to make this pine tree such an aesthetic sight to behold today. Do pay for the entrance ticket into the back of the temple - you get to see amazingly intricate 3D wood carvings on the side walls of the temple - depicting heavenly scenes of gods and their relationships with the mortal world, as well as flying cranes and swirling clouds and thunder and lightning. Next proceed to the inner garden. Take a breather, hv a cup of free green tea from the dispenser, bask in the blessings from Nature. It is a small garden but it is enough to bring some respite to a jaded soul. I concluded the outing with a meal at the soba shop on the quaint shopping street. Made for a perfect finale.

The Garden is very fabulous. You should take time there to chill. And then visit to see sculptures on the temple's walls. Those are amazing!

An impressively ornate temple that is rare to come by in the Tokyo area. On the same level as those in Nikko or Kyoto in terms of beauty and attention to detail. Don’t miss the garden around back!

Leading towards Taishakuten Shrine, is a street lined up with shops. This is “The Approach to Taishkakuten”. A very beautiful street with old charm. The shrine itself is also very majestic, nice place to start a calm and peaceful morning.

A beautiful temple, we were somewhat surprised when someone stop us to tell us we needed to pay (we didn't even know there was a temple), we paid our entrance fee thinking it was just to see the old wooden art but there is a really nice and quiet garden in the back, we stayed here longer than we expected just because it was so relaxing, and during the time we were here there wasn't really anyone else.

A place with similar vibe with Kyoto. A less crowded area than kyoto if we want to have the traditional-japanese feeling

Shibamata Taishakuten Daikyaji Temple is a Buddhist temple of Nichiren sect, and the Temple has about 400 years. The Temple is free for entry, although it charges Yen 400 for admission to visit garden and carving hall. Its carving hall has very stylish classic carvings with Buddhism themes, and it is really worthy for the visitors to have the visits. The Temple is relatively quiet and visitors can take time for the visit.

It was a quiet Monday morning at Shibamata Taishakuten Daikyoji. It took me awhile to successfully transit and reach this place though. I would imagine the street / pathway is crowded over the weekends. I was hoping to seize the advantage of the weekday and enjoying the moments, away from the noise for at least several hours. Coincidentally I chanced upon several “ponds” of lotus within the temple. Just love these lotus so much which seemed to remind busy folks to slow down our pace at work, pause & take a moment to appreciate the surroundings occasionally & live life beautifully as Lotus! Prior heading back, I also tried out the local famous dessert with red beans, to my surprise, I believe I was their first patron for the day.

Well, as you exit the station, you are greeted by Tora san! Amazing route to the temple! As you pass a variety of stores selling; senbe, pickles, snacks, and gifts. The front entrance of the temple is amazing with beautiful carvings and the grounds are well kept. The main entrance you can peer into the temple- no camera or photography!! I think theres a separate fee for entry! Apart from that! This is one of the best places to visit in Japan. It feels like Kyoto, Asakusa in one! Definitely put this place on your list! For places to visit!

Came to see Tora-san's home town! Only took me 20 years! Smaller than the movies. Seemed bigger in Tora-san. But the temple is beautiful regardless. Finally get to see the temple and Toraya in real life.

Brilliant place, especially on new years eve. They had adorable omamori vending machines. There is quite the crowd, but it's still a lovely place, and is surrounded by cute shopping streets.

Not a busy temple but worth it. Lots of history to it. As well, it's well known to the Japanese as it was part of a Japanese film titled: Otoko wa Tsurai yo. Also, definitely pay ¥400 to go see the cool Japanese garden at the back plus the amazing, intricate wood carvings on the building at the back plus carving on the walkway path to the temple. All carvings on the temple and buildings with the temple ground plus the entrance is very detailed and exquisite. The pathway leading up to the temple also has a lot of history to it... As if it takes you back in time to the Edo or Showa time period. This is called "The Approach to Taishkakuten” where there are many old style shops and restaurants too (with only 4 digit telephone numbers that are displayed on their signboards taking you back to the 1940s/50s eras: like rice crackers in huge glass containers, handmade soba (noodles), mochis on a stick, unagi (eel) that line the street, plus souvenirs shops, etc too. Note: Shibamata was made famous as the setting for a long-running J-drama decades ago.

A place I’m happy to discover. Far from busy Tokyo but has so much to offer for tourists. I think it also helps the local commerce

Very beautiful place. The carvings were very impressive.

Really amazing Buddhist temple. The wood carvings are over 400 years old and have a lot of meaning. I highly recommend paying the entrance fee to see the garden

The best place that you can time travel ! Lots of old style shops. I enjoyed old snack store so much. There were more Japanese then foreigner travelers. I think they should come here too!

Amazing historic place in the suburb of Tokyo , not overcrowded by tourists. Worth to go on Sunday, around noon when religious celebrations at going on -kids in traditional customs. Definitely better, the overcrowded Asakusa. Sky tree is not far from her.