If you decide to visit Japan during springtime, very likely you'll find yourself sorrounded by blooming cherry trees and belive me when I say that wondering around with your nose up, just doing "hanami" (watching the blooming trees) is something incredible, an experience that allows you to relax and free your mind from problems for a while.
If you, like me, would like to combine hanami with shrines touring, then what you need to visit is Sakura Shrine, in Setagaya district.
To reach it from Shibuya station, all you need to do is to take the Tōkyū Den-en-toshi line to Sakura-shinmachi Station, then head to the North exit and, once out of the station, go straight for a 2/3 minutes walk, you'll find the shrine on your left.
Even if the shrine itself isn't big, it is definitely worth a quick visit, expecially during this time of
the year, to appreciate its full beauty with the two bloomed cherry trees on both sides of the temple.
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Sakura Shrine EMA
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The shrine shop offers pink ribbons where you can write your prayers and wishes and tie them on the tree's branches.
Different kind of EMAs and omamories are sold here, as well as specific omamories based on your own zodiac sign.
Last but not least, Goshuin notebook and stamp: of course they had to be sakura related and they both didn't disappoint me. The goshuin is a very pale pink background with different sakura's flowers of different sizes and colours; the stamp design has red flowers and petals on it and I absolutely adore it!
I reccomend a visit to this place anytime of the year, but it's a not-to-miss if you're here in spring, it would be criminal not to!
Shrine maps pic courtesy of http://www.sakura.jingu.net/
All other photos and collage are mine own.
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