Hiding under a rock

My family is endlessly exploring new and interesting places.  It is something that has bonded us together - our zest for seeking out and doing new (to us) things.  As we were figuring out which shrines we would visit to ring in the New Year, we debated going to the same shrines as last year or discovering new shrines.  It didn't take long to decide that we wanted to seek out new ones.

Since each shrine represents different spirits and therefore different benefits, it is important for us to go to many shrines for a well rounded start to the New Year.  We always visit our local shrine, another one close by that we go to after the line dies down, as well as some others around Nerima.  Knowing that there are over 100,000 shrines in Japan, my husband took it upon himself to research other nearby shrines.

He found one that I practically ride my bicycle past every week when I go buy fruit and vegetables at Mart Shiroyama.  While finding the new shrine was great, what got us really excited was right next door.  Seiryu-ji Fudoson Temple was built out of lava rocks from Mt. Fuji.  The photos online made it look very unique and piqued our interest.  We could easily see both at the same time.

To enter the temple, there is a set of stairs just to the left of the shrine buildings. 

At the top, there were a couple buildings, one which was the main temple.  It was a simple, small building adorned with a Buddhist alter, similar to many other small temples we have visited.  Near the front of the main temple, there was a table with several colors of candles for sale for ¥100.  People buy and light these candles to signify prayers.  The red candles are for prayers of health, white were for learning, green were for business, yellow signified deceased family members including miscarried babies, and purple were for animals.  We purchased various candles and lit them before placing them into a glass enclosure.  We then said our prayers at the main temple.

Throughout the grounds were several alters for praying for different things like guidance, safe childbirth (we said a prayer for a pregnant friend), and the balance of water (not too much or too little for agricultural needs).

The big draw was the 25 meter (82 foot) tunnel through the lava rocks that housed 2 alters and several fox statues.  The alters inside were for those wanting to pray for success in business. 

The inside of the cave was walled with very rough lava rocks.  It was a decent width, but I could easily touch both walls with my elbows.  Before we entered the tunnel, I didn't know how long it was.  So by the end I was getting a bit anxious.  But we soon saw natural light and I was relieved.  The tunnel is also known as the cave of a mother.  Some people say that exiting the winding tunnel is like being reborn.  I, personally, didn't understand that reference. 

Overall, I am so glad we went to this very interesting temple.  I found it to be peaceful yet energizing. 

The shrine next door was very nice as well.  They set up a bamboo wreath for people to walk through as they entered the shrine.  It signifies chinowa (chee-know-wah) for cleansing. 

There was also a small hill to climb made out of the same Mt. Fuji lava rock.  They say climbing it provided the same benefits as actually climbing Mt. Fuji.  So if anyone asks, I'm going to tell them that I have climbed Mt. Fuji.  Only we will know the real story!

The stairs to the temple are behind the white building.

I can't wait to share this little gem with people!  It really is hiding under a rock because no one seems to know about it and it is really neat.