Senso-ji Temple

Popularly known as Asakusa Kannon, Senso-ji Temple this is Tokyo's most sacred and spectacular temple. Legend has it that a golden image of Kannon, the Goddess of Compassion, was fished out of the nearby Sumida-gawa River by two Fisherman in AD 628. In time, a temple was built to house the image, which has remained on the same spot ever since giving it it's alternative name Asakusa Kannon-do. Whether the ancient image of Kannon actually exists inside is a secret. Not that this stops a steady stream of worshippers making their way up the stairs to the temple where they cast coins, clap ceremoniously and bow in a gesture of respect.

When approaching Senso-ji from the Asakusa subway station, you enter through Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) between the scowling protective deities: Fujin, the god of wind, on the right, and Rajin, the god of thunder, on the left. Straight on through the gate is Nakamise-dori, a busy precinct. Everything from tourist trinkets to genuine Edo-style crafts are sold here; there's even a shop selling the elaborate wigs that are won with kimonos. (Shai and I plan to come back here together to purchase our kimonos). Nakamise-dori leads to the main temple compound. In front of the temple is a large incense cauldron, whose smoke is said to bestow health. If any part of your body - modesty permitting, naturally is giving you trouble, do as the locals do and fan some smoke onto yourself, rubbing it through your clothing into the area that ails you.

I arrived here well past 5 o'clock so I plan to come back and take more pictures, so expect another blog and pics. On this fine day however, I met a little orange man (he had an interesting self tanner application situation) going on and was so helpful. I asked him one question and basically he was like the tourist board pulling out maps and telling me stories and even later walking me across the street to a local traditional Japanese supermarket where I bought some kokuto and kuromitsu ice cream and a most popular dessert of sweet sugar rice balls on a kebab.