Tokyo’s Shakaden: BuildingMyBento’s Mother Ship?

If I’m physically from New York, I’m incredulously from the Tokyo Shakaden (釈迦殿).

Located in Azabudai but close enough to Tokyo’s Gomorrah – also known as Roppongi, Shakaden is in fact the H.Q. of Reiyuukai (霊友会), a Buddhist sect.

Reiyuukai was established in Tokyo in 1930 by Kubo Kakutaro, though the space ship was completed in 1975.  The prefix “Shaka” refers to Shakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism, and contrary to what you may think from first glance, the hall is not only open to the public but actually encourages visitors to learn more about Shakyamuni’s teachings.  Not to mention, free water?  Before you take advantage of their generosity, think it over and sleep on it.

An employee told me not to take photos inside.  Not that you’d want to disturb inanimate wooden statues of Buddhist icons anyway.  Plus, would you believe there’s a concert hall tucked away in there?  Weird, right?

…and to think the Shakaden doesn’t even make the list of the top 50, 000 most unusual buildings in Japan.  On second thought, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was an arcology.

 

Advertisement