Recent adventures in Chiba Prefecture seeking out the rather isolated Thai temple got me thinking about other such interesting-looking religious buildings in Tokyo. Of course the vast majority of religious places in Japan are Buddhist or Shinto but there are some others catering for those with different beliefs including well-known ones as well as a few religious cults. Here, in no particular order, are ten such places in Tokyo…

1. Tokyo Camii @ 1-19 Oyama-cho, Shibuya-ku – Ottoman-style mosque from the 1930s located close to Yoyogi-Uehara station. Not just a mosque but a community centre which was rebuilt in 1998 and finished in 2000. It offers tours and a museum of Turkish culture.  More details here

2. Nikolai Cathedral @ 4 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku – A fine example of Byzantine-style architecture in Ochanomizu. This Russian cathedral, in its present guise, has been around since 1929 after the original was completely destroyed during the great Kanto earthquake six years earlier. Its distinctive green dome and high old stone walls gives it a very recognisable identity not fitting in with the rest of the areas identi-kit office blocks. More details here

3. Tsukiji Honganji @ 3-5-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku – Established in 1617 near Asakusa, this temple was destroyed a couple of times by fires. It was then built between 1931 and 1934 and is noted for its unique architecture influenced by temples in India.

4. St Mary’s Cathedral @ 3-5-16 Sekiguchi, Bunkyo-ku – Renowned for its architecture as much as its status as one of the oldest and largest cathedrals in Japan. It has eight curved walls which are almost perpendicular and form a large cross in an aerial view which can be seen in all its glory on Google Maps.

5. Tokyo Maso Temple @ 1-24 Hyakunincho, Shinjuku-ku – The Japan Mazu Society is an organisation that actively engages in cultural friendship activities between Japan and Taiwan. They built this four floor Taiwanese-style temple in 2013 in this bustling Shinjuku neighbourhood.

6. Reiyukai Shakaden Temple @ 1-7-8 Azabudai, Minato-ku – After four years of construction, it was completed in 1975 and is used as a meeting place and social centre for Reiyukai members and local community….as well as for filming music videos it seems! It has featured in a couple of music videos most notably ‘#thatPOWER‘ by will.i.am featuring Justin Bieber. Besides it’s more common uses, it bizarrely has a reservoir containing 400 tonnes of drinking water for use in the event that Tokyo is struck by a major disaster. More details here

7. Tokyo Japan Temple @ 5-8-10 Minamiazabu, Minato-ku – This recently refurbished  place has a serene and peaceful feeling for anyone who goes there and walks around the temple grounds.

8. Islamic Center Japan @ 1-16-11 Ohara, Setagaya-ku – With a history dating back to 1966, this centre an an independent, non-commercial and non-political organisation for Muslims in Japan. It seems like it is permanently closed now but it used to be a place of support for people wanting to get a better understanding of Islam religion and culture.

9. Catholic Kanda Church @ 1-1-12 Nishikanda, Chiyoda-ku – A traditional church located on a quiet backstreet which is an impressive building boasting gothic architecture rarely seen in Japan. It’s been rebuilt a few times and was designated as a national registered tangible cultural property in 2001.

10. Rissho Kosei-kai Headquarters @ 2-11-1 Wada, Suginami-ku – This one has been described as looking like a birthday cake. It’s actually a large cathedral that was constructed in 1964 and is surrounded by palm trees to give off an atmosphere reminiscent of a tropical resort.

Bonus: Nisshikutsu (Vietnamese Temple) @ 2-11-1 Shibakoen, Minato-ku – From looking at this place on Google maps it seems like it’s a small family-run place which opens on-call so I didn’t feel it was right to just go and poke my nose in unwantedly. Likewise for BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir which is a Hindu Temple in Taito-ku.

Click here to read ‘Pilgrimage To Find A Religious Cult Building In Ibaraki Prefecture (+ Details Of 4 Others In Japan)’

Click here to read ‘Tokyo Daytripper: Wat Is A Thai Temple Doing In The Middle Of Nowhere!’

Click here to read ‘Japan’s Largest Taoist Temple Is In Saitama!’

Click here to read ‘The Central Tokyo Temple Resembling A Spaceship!’