The spiritual heart of Asakusa, and for that matter Tokyo, is the remarkable Sensoji Buddhist Temple. Consequently a temple was developed to house the goddess.
Getting here from Asakusa train station, Sensoji is gotten in through Kiminarimon (“Thunder Gate”). A marvelous structure that houses 2 protective deities: Fuijin, the god of wind, on the right, and Raijin, the god of thunder, on the. These ferocious gods supervise all who go into the temple and keep the premises safe.
Once inside, you will see Nakamise-dori. This shopping street, set within the real temple precinct, has a history all of its own. These stalls and their proprietors are a living part of a centuries old custom of selling products to the pilgrims going to the temple.
In the late 17th century, neighbors of the Sensoji who received and served visitors to the temple, were rewarded by being given an unique right to open shops to sell their items along the approach to the temple.
This continued till 1885, when the Tokyo metropolitan federal government, having actually taken control of the land belonging to Sensoji, purchased all Nakamise merchants to leave and in the exact same year developed western style brick shops, causing the start of contemporary Nakamese.
Today you can discover everything from traveler ornaments, such as folding fans, to traditional Japanese clothes including kimonos and yukata, to local snack foods. Extending for some 200 meters, Nakamise-dori is the ideal location to while away an hour and get a memento or more before entering the primary ground of the temple.
Travelers and residents mix on the temple premises, uniting in their objective to pay their respects. 100 yen will purchase you an omikuji (fortune written on a little piece of paper). If your fortune is bad, tie the paper onto a close-by string so that the wind can distribute the bad luck.
Stage in the temple forecourt is an incense burner. Here you will usually see a group of visitors fanning smoke from the burning incense over themselves. The incense is believed to have healing powers, therefore fanning the smoke over your disorder will help to recover it. If you experience headache, fan a few of the smoke over your head.
The primary temple hall still houses the golden statue of Kannon, a small 6cm tall, and is viewable by the public. Step forward to cast some coins in the offer box, which sits in front of the alter, take an action back, location your hands together, prey and then bow. This is the standard practice of preying at a Buddhist temple.
To the left of the forecourt and forming part of the temple, is the 5 story (53 meter) pagoda. A 1973 reconstruction of the original pagoda developed on the same ground. This is the largest pagoda in Tokyo.
Destroyed by earthquakes and World War Two aerial bombings, Sensoji Temple has actually been reconstructed and rebuilded time and time once again. Testimony to the significance it holds within the Buddhist neighborhood and the public. A remembrance of centuries old worths and customs that carry on today within Tokyo’s chaotic lifestyle, Sensoji is a steadying reminder that in spite of warring nations and brand-new technology, some things will always stay.
The spiritual heart of Asakusa, and for that matter Tokyo, is the outstanding Sensoji Buddhist Temple. Consequently a temple was built to house the goddess. These stalls and their proprietors are a living part of a centuries old tradition of offering wares to the pilgrims checking out the temple.
The primary temple hall still houses the golden statue of Kannon, a small 6cm tall, and is viewable by the public. Destroyed by earthquakes and World War Two aerial bombings, Sensoji Temple has been reconstructed and rebuilded time and time once again.
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