Asakusa

We actually went to Asakusa at the end of February before our Special date and the Earthquake.  I just got a little out of order.

In the background is the another Tokyo Tower they are building.  It is going to be a lot taller than the old one which is walking distance from our apartment.

Asakusa is a district in Tokyo.  It is a temple town, which flourished during the Edo period (1603-1868).

The Kaminarimon "Thunder Gate" is the outer of two large entrance gates that ultimately leads to the Senso-ji (the inner being the Hozomon).  This is the oldest temple in Tokyo.

 

Before we were able to enter the gate, two University students approached us and asked if they could be our guides while visiting the temple so that they could practice their English. The girl's name is Ruiko Oka. We have emailed each other since with pictures and to check to see that we were okay after the Earthquake.  The word on the large lantern says "Welcome".

When approaching the temple, visitors first enter through the Kaminarimon, "Thunder Gate", the outer gate of the Senso-ji a symbol of Asakusa.  A shopping street of over 600 feet, called Nakamise Dori, leads from the outer gate to the temple's second gate, the Hozomon.  Besides typical Japanese souvenirs such as yukata, casual summer kimonos, and folding fans various traditional local snacks are sold.  The shops line both sides of the street leading up to the temple.

Entering the second gate to the temple.

On this wall are hundreds of small drawers. Each one contains a fortune. You first shake a canister, which contains many sticks that each has a number on them. You shake one stick out of the small opening which has your number and you open the corresponding drawer and you receive your fortune.

 My number was 37 and my fortune was:

*The direction is clouded so thick that east or west are not seen. Though you want to be famous in career, a chance doesn't come yet.

*You should wait for a chance with patience until the time comes. Just like to hunt 2 geese with one arrow, you can get eouole happiness.

* Your request will not be granted. * The patient get well but takes long. * The lost article will be found late.* The person you wait for will come but late. * Building a new house removal are both well. * To start a trip is well, with no harm. * Marriage and employment will be well at last.

Before you enter the temple, you must wash your hands and rinse your mouth.  You take the ladle in your right hand and rinse your left hand and then you switch and rinse your right hand.  You then put a small amount of water in your left hand and rinse your mouth. You then raise the bowl of the ladle and let the water run down the handle and place it back on the stand.

                                      Our guides with Ed saying good-bye to us after our tour was finished.

                                            A view from inside the temple looking back.

                               Five story Pagoda on the grounds of the temple.

 

Ed and the Buddha

We did not get to stop at the shops on the way in so we checked them out on the way out. 

Myra checking out the yukatas ( casual summer kimonos).

These statues of cats are in all the shops and business. If the right hand is raised up, it is a sign of welcoming good business and good fortune.  If the left hand is up, it is a sign of welcome, good luck and happiness.  We got one with the left hand up.

Along the street that leads to the temple there is the Kamiya Bar.  It has been there since the late 1800's.  They produce their own wine, sake, and shoju ( very strong sake).  We , of course, bought one of each.