A pretty rope hanging from a brass bell used to call attention of the god/dess to your prayer. In a small shrine (Kompira Gu) in Shinbashi, sandwiched and dwarfed between a few tall, modern buildings of Tokyo. Update: the correct name is Kotohira Gu, the location Toranomon (a few minutes walk from Shinbashi).

Kompira Gu, Shinbashi, Tokyo. Update: the correct name is Kotohira Gu, the location Toranomon (only a few minutes walk from Shinbashi).

Containers of sake donated to the Kompira Gu, a small shrine dwarfed by surrounding modern buildings in Shinbashi, Tokyo. Update: the correct name is Kotohira Gu, and the location Toranomon (a few minute walk from Shinbashi).

A fire distinguisher patiently waiting for an arsonist (who, hopefully, will never arrive!) on an open-air corridor around the Kompira Gu, a small shrine among a few tall modern buildings in Shinbashi, Tokyo. Update: the correct name is Kotohira Gu, the location Toranomon.

The Kompira Gu shrine nestled among the giant modern buildings around it. Shinbashi, Tokyo, Japan. We came across this delightful contrast during our early morning walk to the Tsukiji fish market. Update: the correct name is Kotohira Gu, the location is Toranomon (a few minute walk from Shinbashi), as Nemo's great uncle points out below.