The Hanazono Shrine was founded in the mid-17th century. It was the only shrine we saw in a vivid color.
A male and female lion flank one of the entrances. Here is the male.
I saw several people walk up this path to pray. They would drop coins in a box as an offering, pull on one of the ropes to ring a bell, clap twice and then hold their hands together silently.
On Sundays, there is an Antiques Market on the grounds near the shrine. This particular market had old kimonos and sashes for sale.
There was scrolled artwork …
… a box of wooden dolls …
… old prints …
… and all sorts of interesting items.
After a day of sightseeing, we had a wonderful dinner at Kurosawa Restaurant in Roppongi Hills. They walked us into a cozy room with sliding doors covered in thin white paper. One by one, they brought us beautifully presented dishes like this shrimp and vegetable tempura and chicken teriyaki.
It was a nice way to end the day.
Agujas 
Thanks for sharing your adventure with us all, I loved all your very pretty photographs, and wish I was there.
Glad you liked ! It’s been a wonderful experience to see the shrines and the city and the people first hand.
The shrine looks so beautiful; did you manage not to buy any kimono’s or sashes? I went to a fleamarket in Dallas once and couldn’t resist the ‘used’ kimono booth run by a German woman with a Japanese husband. It looks like it was a wonderful day, thanks for sharing your pictures!
I had to resist but it was hard. I had to pack 3 months of business clothes and do not have much room left for the return!
The red of the temple is so bright in contrast to the grey and white colours.
Japanese table ware is so beautiful.
I was surprised at the bright color since all the other shrines were more sedate.
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