A magnificent guardian dog sits on the approach to Hanazono Shrine, which stretches from Yasukuni Street

Hanazono Jinja Shrine guardian dog — Guardian dog at Hanazono Jinja Shrine

The precincts of Hanazono Jinja Shrine in Shinjuku are not that large. As the shrine is located in the downtown area, I had always thought that the shrine used to boast a large precinct, but as time went by, it became smaller. I was a little surprised when I saw an app that allowed me to overlay an old map with a modern map. Although it was larger than now, the size of the precincts had not changed that much. It wasn't that big in the past. What surprised me more than anything was the approach to the shrine, which stretched from Yasukuni Street. The approach to the shrine, which is long and narrow and flanked by buildings on both sides, was also long and narrow on the old map.

The photo shows the long and narrow approach to Hanazono Jinja Shrine from Yasukuni Street. Fortunately or unfortunately, the approach between the buildings is dimly lit, and when I walked along it, I could feel that I was entering the Shinto shrine. As I turned away from the hustle and bustle of the city and walked through the dimly lit approach, I found myself in front of the shrine. The atmosphere of the scene was perfect, and the guardian dogs sitting by the approach seemed to be satisfied with the trick. A broom and a dustpan were also visible beside the guardian dog. Perhaps the fact that the approach to the temple is clean and tidy is one of the reasons why the guardians are in such a good mood.

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