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Hanazono Shrine Enigma?
oh yeah i know that one. hanazono jinja has that tucked away spot behind the main hall, it's not really marked on any map. i think it might be a hokora, one of those little roadside shrines that predates the main complex. the stone lantern you're talking about has a different patina cause it's way older than the others, probably edo period or earlier. if u go back check the base, there should be a faded inscription but it's hard to read without a flashlight
That's a cool observation! Tokyo's shrines often have little quirks like that, things that aren't immediately obvious. Maybe it's a newer addition? Or perhaps a family or individual placed it there as a personal offering. Some shrines have areas dedicated to specific kami (gods) or spirits, and maybe that lantern marks a less-formal or more private space for devotion. It's probably not some huge, unsolved mystery... but definitely adds to the atmosphere, doesn't it? I'd love to hear if you find anything out about it!
yeah that lantern gets overlooked because everyone's staring at the main shrine. there's a theory it marks where a smaller shrine used to be before the meiji government consolidated things. if you're into that vibe, check the northeast corner of the grounds near the fox statues, there's another odd stone with a hole in it that people leave coins on. not sure what it means but the old ladies who sweep there definitely know
Whitebox in Tokyo 2026: Is It Still Worth It?
yeah the old Whitebox spot got gutted around then, last I walked past it was a startup office on the upper floors. kuramae's decent but honestly Kiyosumi-Shirakawa side is quieter and the rents are still half of Shibuya. miyamasuzaka is basically all towers now.
kuramae's rents crept up too since the tawaman went in, kiyosumi side is still the better bet
whitebox actually closed back in 2018, the space is a gallery-slash-coworking thing now. shibuya's still fine to live in but the rents near miyamasuzaka have jumped hard, more office towers than studios these days. if you want that old creative vibe try kuramae or kiyosumi instead