Atago Shrine

This is a bit of a curiosity—a peaceful alcove in a little forest at the top of a small mountain in the dead center of one of the busiest parts of the city. Another curious thing about Atago is that praying here traditionally granted protection from fire. Now, it also grants prosperity in IT and printing, and protection from information leaks. There are 86 steps from the street to the main shrine—if you can race up without stopping, it’s said you’ll be granted success in life. It may not sound hard to do, but Atago Shrine sits on the highest land in central Tokyo and the steps are very steep. You get a wonderful, expansive view from the top.