上野之森美術馆

“One of the most interesting features of this temple is its huge bronze statue of Confucius, five meters high and one of the tallest in the world. In its look, the building is more Chinese in style, which is appropriate as it’s a Confucian temple. Historically it’s also significant because the modern Japanese educational system has deep roots here. Near the statue of Confucius is a very dramatic Chinese pistache tree. These are very rare to find in Japan—this particular one grew from a seedling planted near Confucius’s grave in northeastern China, and was then shipped here to Japan. It’s considered a holy tree in Confucianism.”