Lions and Shrines and Temples, Oh My!

My host family and I walked to the nearby shrine on our way to the local cafe to eat breakfast. The shrine is part of the famous Tokugawa Shogunate which reigned over this area for like 400 years or something like that. Anyways. this shrine is approximately 400 years old--I think. Well, I can't remember. It's just really old, ok? And to me, that's mind-boggling. (obviously)
This is only the entrance. The actual shrine in under construction. They have the re-thatch the roof every 40 years and this year is the year.
This is the roof of the Daijuuji temple, also apart of Iyesu Tokugawa's family fortune. The circular symbols are the Tokugawa family's crest--three fans. This shrine is really interesting because it houses the memorial tablets of the ENTIRE successive Tokugawa shogunate family. There is like over a thousand years of family history in this one room. Overwhelmingly fascinating, but you can't take any pictures for preservation's sake.

This Buddhist alter is at the front of the temple. I thought the underlying oath was kind of interesting. . .and true. Maybe we all should "learn a little buddha!"