Nakayama Hokekyoji Somon 中山法華経寺 総門(黒門)

Hokekyoji Sando shopping street

Hokekyoji, the Nichiren Buddhist temple in Ichikawa City, has an old-fashioned sando, or approach street. The slight incline up to the temple starts at Nakayama Hokekyoji Somon, a gate that's also referred to as Kuromon, the black gate. The shopping street leading to the temple is a mix of modern and vintage buildings with a lot of charm. You'll find old-fashioned confectioners, cafes, osozai shops (the Japanese answer to delis), soba, sushi, and gourmet restaurants. I was pressed for time as I stopped here briefly, intending to see the temple. I'd say you could easily spend an hour or two browsing the shops and grazing the food choices to round out your trip to Hokekyoji. This review is a tease as the photo shows the sando looking towards the temple. The Kuromon is behind and down the slope from the photo location.