Oct. 25 - One of my favorite destinations on weekend walks around Tokyo is the Atago Shrine. Located on top of a steep hill not far from my home, this shrine was founded in the 17th century on orders of Tokugawa Ieyasu.

These days one can take an elevator up to the top of the hill, but I prefer to climb the "Success in Life" stone staircase to the shrine at the top. Recently while ascending these stairs, I recalled my first visit to the shrine with a Japanese friend. He told me that a young samurai once dared to ride his horse up these stone stairs to present a flowering plum blossom to the shogun. While his nimble steed climbed the hill with ease, it took the beast much longer to descend the narrow, steep staircase.

In the old days this hill commanded an excellent view of Tokyo in all directions. I am sure that the Atago Shrine provided an excellent lookout for fires in the old days. It is not surprising that this shrine is dedicated to the god of fire.

Today, unfortunately, high-rise buildings surround the shrine and block the broad vista once enjoyed by many samurai. Nonetheless, the Atago Shrine continues to offer a quiet space for respite and contemplation above the bustling metropolis below.