⛩️✨ Weekend at Atago Shrine: Tokyo’s Sacred Summit

#summervacay Perfect for hikers • history lovers • cityscape photographers 🌅 DAY 1: Summit Sunrise & Spiritual Ascent 🚇 5AM: Taxi to Atago Jinja Mae (or 20-min hike from Toranomon Station) ⛩️ 6AM: Climb the 86 stone steps (legend says samurai rode up on horseback) Sunrise ritual: Ring bell at the main hall for luck Secret spot: Hidden Kompira Shrine behind the main hall 🍵 8AM: Breakfast at Sakurai Japanese Tea Experience (matcha + wagashi) Stroll: Nezu’s torii tunnel (10-min taxi away) 🏙️ 12PM: Tokyo Tower views from the summit Lunch at Toranomon Koffee (artisan sandwiches) 🌃 7PM: Night illumination of the steps Izakaya hopping in Shimbashi 🎎 DAY 2: Samurai Trails & Hidden Tokyo 🗡️ 8AM: Hike to Zojo-ji Temple (1hr via Shiba Park, spot Tokugawa graves) Breakfast: Tamagoyaki at Tsukiji Outer Market 🎨 11AM: Sengakuji Temple (47 Ronin story) Photography: Contrast modern skyscrapers with shrine roofs 🍱 2PM: Kaiseki lunch at Shinagawa Jyuban Souvenir hunt: Ema plaques with cityscape designs Samurai-themed Daruma dolls ✈️ 6PM: Depart with sacred omamori charms 📸 Must-Capture Moments: Stone steps with salarymen ascending at dawn Torii gate framing Tokyo Tower Morning mist over Minato ward Lantern glow at dusk 💡 Pro Tips: ✔️ January 4: Fire-walking festival ✔️ Weekdays = quiet (weekends crowded with weddings) ✔️ Wear comfy shoes – steps are uneven #atagoshrine #tokyohiddengem #samuraisteps #citymeetssacred 🏯 “Where Edo’s warriors prayed for success – and so can you”