It is quite interesting that there is many historical site in Tokyo coming from its association with Tokugawa shogunate such as Zojo-ji shrine (三縁山増上寺) in
Daimon area. This was the former family temple of Tokugawa and one of
two official shrine where remains of Tokugawa shoguns rested; the other
one being Kaneiji (東叡山寛永寺円頓院) which is the site where Ueno park is now.
There is even the memorial for a famous shogun's wife on the shrine.
Around the Zojoji temple, it is surrounded by a beautiful park Shiba-koen that also where the Tokyo tower stood. Thus the capture of the temple with Tokyo tower at the backdrop is quite beautiful.
During Tachibana festival (or 7-7 festival as it takes place on every July 7th), It is a custom to write your wishes that you then hang on colorful papers, with different colors symbolizing different elements of nature fire, water, earth, wind, etc.
Here is my written wish before I tied it on the posts:
During the nights of Tachibana week, the shrine is illuminated by the beautiful "stairway to Heaven". I heard it is hosted annually the week of early July leading to July 7th which is culmination period. During this period, you can purchase ankoden or a special temple amulet that is beautifully embroided with the silloette of this scene. With the amulet, you can ask for a special prayer that will be hosted nightly by the priest to bless around around 6~8pm.
In 2022, when I was in Tokyo, the shrine also
hosted the memorial for Mr. Shinzo Abe who sadly, was assassinated on
July 8.
