Day 2 (2nd stop):
Sensoji Temple. May 12, 2015.
For Day 1 (Arrival) click here
For Day 2 (Ueno Park & Zoo) click here
Legend says that two men brought a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, out of the Sumida River, but the statue returned to the river afterwards. In remembrance of the incident, Sensoji temple was built in honor of Kannon, which is why it is also known as the Asakusa Kannon Temple. It is the oldest temple in Tokyo.
From Ueno park that morning, we walked through a quiet residential area to get to the temple.
(I could live here forever)
Noticeably, space is very valuable at Japan. Houses are small, but comfortable. Our hotel is a firsthand experience of small living quarters, but it's very clean, convenient, and comfortable (3 C's). They make the most out of the spaces they have and it's very admirable.
A few bus stops and we're here at Asakusa!
Tokyo Skytree (which will be in a later post). Excuse the angle haha, but we were in a hurry and I was trying to get a good one despite tourists snapping alongside me.
We stopped for an onigiri and a can of Fanta each from a convenient store.
Oh, hey there, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe! Looking great!
After a few bus stops, we got to Asakusa. There was a lot of traditional stores around the area like these candy stores.
They sold traditional Japanese candies, wrapped beautifully in packages.
Nice display you got here! ^
Taiyaki! It's yummy fish-shaped pancakes filled with red bean paste. It tastes less sweet from the red bean paste that I've always tasted back home.
Modern kimono/yukata shops were everywhere! So it was predictable that we spotted groups of ladies in colorful yukatas walking around the area.
The photo is blurred, but I would love to have gotten that jumper dress. It's such a unique find!
If I'm not mistaken, this is called Nakamise-dori. It's a market leading to the temple. They sell quite an array of items from key-chains to shirts, Japanese umbrellas to even samurai swords! Souvenirs, anyone?
The temple's main gate, Kaminarimon, or "Thunder Gate". The place is jam-packed with tourists and it's hard to get a photo, but it's quite a sight to see.
A giant slipper at the back of the gate.
The Hozomon or "Treasure House Gate", which holds the entrance to the main hall.
It is dedicated to Kannon and the smell of incense is everywhere, especially near the gate. We remain at the outside and observe the exterior.
A five-storey pagoda next to it.
To purify yourself before entering the main hall, tourists and visitors take a sip from the Chozuya/Temizuya using metal cups with a long wooden laddle.
A smaller temple at the outskirts.
An address plate.
Asakusa, Tokyo.
Got a taste of traditional Japan this time.
...
faith
Next up is the Tokyo Sky Tree and a view of Tokyo City,
my favorite part of the entire trip.
#ilovetokyo
All photos taken during this trip are unedited to retain its authenticity.
All photos are mine unless stated otherwise.
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