I switched as a wholly Buddhist Hojo occupying the center of the island. I was consolidating and working on upgrading farms at the time, and just rode out the unrest. It peaks at about 6 or so to unrest, and most of my provinces could handle it without a lot of extra garrison troops. The few that couldn't were exempted from taxes for a year or two.

Hojo cannons and trade ships have been very fun to play with, as have the matchlocks. The diplomacy hit didn't hurt me much, although it did put more clans closer to the edge once the realm divide hit.