Old but new shrine
The Akagi shrine in Kagurazaka is quite unique. It is an old shrine, founded in the 14th century, but the current construction of the shrine is quite new, rebuilt in 2010. On top of that it was designed by Kengo Kuma, known as a designer of the stadium for 2020 Tokyo Olympic game.
Concept of Sumi's design
His concept is the integration of modern and tradition. In case of the new Olympic stadium he utilized a lot of wood columns instead of concrete or steel ones. Wood column has a symbolic and spiritual role in Japanse construction because Japanse people believe wood is a sort of deity and sacred. The design of the new stadium is praised as a perfect and unique integration of modern and tradition. This is the concept of Kuma's design.
In the middle of modern residential area
To reconstruct traditional Akagi shrine, Kuma utilized modern materials like glass, steel and concrete. Again, integration of modern and tradition. Cause this shrine is now located in the middle of the modern residential area, the use of modern materials gives us smooth transition between two, old and modern constructions.
Guardian from Egypt?!
Not only the marriage of new and old, he introduced the touch of different culture into this Japanse shrine. Look at this guardian dog. It looks like a sphinx in Egypt, doesn't it. Also It's so cute!!!
Cafe in the shrine, one and only
Traditional tea shops are quite common in the most of major shrines. Visitors can take a rest while enjoying Japanese green tea and sweets. It's a part of joy when we visit shrines. At Akagi shrine they have a Cafe (Cafè to be exact). You can enjoy Caffè Latte as well as delicious and well prepared sweets and food.
I know no other shrine, which has a cafe like this inside their precincts.
Having Caffè Latte, while viewing traditional shrine and "Sphinx". What a cosmopolitan experience here!!!