One of the most popular attractions in Asakusa is the ancient Buddhist temple, Sensoji. It is Tokyo’s oldest temple and one of its most significant.
Asakusa
Sensoji
The legend says that in the year 628 AD, two brothers fished a statue of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, out of the Sumida River. The chief of their village decided to enshrine it and build a small temple in its honor.
Sensoji Temple
The temple was completed in 645 AD.
Large Lantern
The main hall, pagoda, and gates are illuminated until 11:00pm. This particular temple and surrounding shopping streets get very crowded during daytime, but it was quiet and calm while we walked around the temple grounds at night.
Entrance
Fountain Statue
The temple is known to bring good luck for almost anything – health, relationships, school, etc.
Thunder Gate
White Lanterns
Bad Fortune Rack
Hozomon Gate
Sensoji is also known for for its fortunes. Visitors have the opportunity to buy omikuji (paper fortune) for 100 yen which is about one dollar. The fortunes are inside numbered drawers.
Fortune Drawers
Directions
Once you pay 100 yen, pick up the container of sticks and shake it a few times.
Shake
A numbered stick will come out and you match that number to the drawer.
Match the Number
Open the drawer and read your fortune.
Read Your Fortune
If you happen to get a bad fortune, you should tie it to the rack. There are supposedly more kyo (bad luck) fortunes at Sensoji compared to other temples or shrines. So consider yourself very lucky if you get a good one!
Tie Bad Fortunes
We really enjoyed our day in Asakusa. It was a nice way to see traditional Japanese culture in Tokyo.
It was time to eat something. We walked back to the station and took the train to Shibuya for a unique sushi dinner.
Sensoji Pagoda
Sensoji Temple
2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa
TaitÅ, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan
+81 3-3842-0181
Website
