Waiting

Some of us, not having much association with Tokyo, might wonder why Sugamo is popular among the elderly? Does it have lots of walking stick makers? Or mediums for conversations with the departed? Or funeral parlours? A little detail would have enhanced the picture and dispelled the Tokyo-centric feeling.

what is the definition of "monk"? If they can marry and drive cars, are the "monks"? I do notice these guys in this particular outfit...perhaps they really have renounced everything? The ones that look like this?

If they can marry and drive cars, are the "monks"?

Yes. Monks here are allowed to marry, drive, drink, fornicate, and many other things that regular human beings can do.

Monks do not marry , drink and fornicate and lead a simple holy and pious life and work for the welfare of mankind.

Just beware of the many fake Buddhist monks that often hang around train stations here accepting donations. A Buddhist priest once warned me that this is never the practice for them in Japan.

We got one of them standing outside a local train station, heard a rumour those are not real monks but impersonators.

Giving the money that most monks here make they don't need to ask for donations, yes, the rules for Buddhist monks see different than let's say Thailand, etc.

Marrying the oldest son who will inherit the Temple/Shrine us considered good luck here