Reiyukai Shakaden Temple — Local services in Tokyo

Looking like something out of Star Trek, this austere, black, pyramidal structure that rises out of central Tokyo (not well visible here), is a temple of the so-called "Inner Trip Reiyukai", a modern Japanese religion which emerged as an offshoot of Buddhism in the 1930s by initiative of Kakutarō Kubo and Kimi Kotani, and met with quite a success of followers over the '80s both in Japan as well as in many countries abroad, where the sect had representative centers. Shakaden means the "House of Shakyamuni. It is the main temple of the sect and it contains many smaller enclosures under its giant coffin, red benches which can accommodate up to 3500 people and an eight metre Buddha that was carved over a six year period from a thousand-year-old camphor tree. It is enclosed in a special chamber to preserve it. The complex was built in 1975, it comprises the Main Hall, a plaza, a Kotani Hall, a conference room, a cafe, a nursery, a medical centre and also a reservoir containing 400 tonnes of drinking water for use in the event that Tokyo is struck by a major disaster. The building was designed and erected by Takenaka Corporation one of the oldest architectural and enginering enterprises in the country, said to date back to its founder in the XVII century (the same company that built Tokyo Tower and most of the public governmental building around here). It is worth checking out, at least from the outside, if you visit...

Reiyukai Shakaden Temple, 1975 by Seiichi Shirai (Takenaka Corporation)

Informally known as "The Spaceship Temple" or "Star Trek Temple" among internet users, this place of worship is an unconventional branch of Buddhism called "Inner Peace." Constructed in 1975, the enormous temple is located just a short walk from Tokyo Tower and is accessible to the public, allowing visitors to explore its equally impressive interior. Within the temple, there is an 8-meter wooden Buddha statue, and it also features a reservoir containing 400 tonnes of drinking water, intended for use in the event of a disaster, such as...

I saw this building from the Tokyo Tower and was compelled by the unique architecture to check it out. It’s not really a “touristy” venue, but if you’re intrigued by churches it’s free to walk around (it was essentially empty when I visited). Near the main worship room / chapel, there were some brochures in several languages explaining the religion, which was invaluable. Other than that, you’re really on your own to make any sense of anything. The main shrine is made of wood, so isn’t visible except during official meetings as it’s in a climate controlled ‘vault’ the rest...