Sensoji Temple
Day three; Sensoji Temple
Our first place is Sensoji Temple. We are taking
our breakfast in the early morning, so that we have more time to explore in
Tokyo. As we planned, we were going to one of the oldest temples in Japan,
Sensoji Temple. We took a taxi to get to Sensoji temple. Our journey from the
hotel was 10km. The charge imposed on us was 3290 Yen. There are many more ways
to get there. either take the train. but we were less savvy considering this
was the first time we got to Tokyo. Therefore, we choose transportation that is
convenient for us to use.
From April to September, Sinsoji's main hall is open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from October to March, it is open from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Sensoji temple is open to the public for free. The temple grounds are constantly open, and the main structure is lit up from sunset until 11 p.m. every night.
History of Sensoji Temple
Sensoji temple, also known as Asakusa Kannon and located in
Tokyo's Asakusa neighborhood, is the city's oldest and most colorful religious
structure. It is also Japan's most visited temple and the world's most visited
spiritual destination, with about 20 million yearly visits. Sensoji is a large
temple complex dedicated to Kannon Bodhisattava, the compassionate nirvana
achiever and the Bodhisattva of compassion. It includes the main temple
structure and a 5-story pagoda, as well as an on-site retail street, the
Nakamise-dori.
Sensoji's history dates back to the year 628, when two local
brothers were fishing when they found a golden statue of Kannon in the Sumida
River. Despite the fact that they returned the statue to the sea, it seemed to
mysteriously return to them. The leader of the then-small town of Asakusa chose
to rebuild his own home into a shrine to hold the statue and encourage
residents to worship it as a result of this obviously miraculous occurrence. In
645, the first version of the Sensoji temple was built.
When Tokugawa shogun Ieyasu designated the location as a
family shrine to act as spiritual protection against prospective invasions from
the northeast in the 1600s, the temple gained even more symbolic importance. Sensoji
later had visits by powerful samurai warlords from the Taira and Minamoto
families in the 10th and 11th centuries, who chose to restore and extend
portions of the temple. The now-famous Kaminarimon and Hozomon Gates were built
during this time period. The torii gate, which marks the entrance to the
Nishinomiya Inari inner shrine, was built in 1727 and is a major element of the
modern-day temple. Despite the fact that most of the Sensoji complex was
destroyed during World War II air raids on Tokyo, the temple has since been
completely rebuilt and is now seen as a symbol of rebirth and peace in Japan.
Sensoji Temple from top view
What to do in Sensoji Temple?
Kaminarimon
Kaminarimon, the Thunder Gate. Kaminarimon, the Sensoji
Temple's outer gate, is not only an iconic emblem of Asakusa, but it's also one
of Tokyo's most popular gathering spots and picture opportunities. The gate is
known for its massive crimson chochin light, which weighs about 700 kg and
looms over those who pass beneath it. The word Kaminarimon, which loosely
translates as "thundergate," appears on the front of the lantern,
while the official name of the gate, Fraijinmon, appears on the back.
 |
| Kaminarimon gate view |
On each side of the Kaminarimon gate are statues of two minor Japanese gods: Fujin-sama, the deity of wind, and Raijin-sama, the god of thunder and lightning.
 |
Dragon-shaped Carving |
Many visitors to Kaminarimon may have spotted a lovely,
intricate dragon-shaped carving on the lantern's bottom. It is, in fact, the
"Dragon Sculpture," a highly significant artwork.
When the two brothers caught the statue of the Kannon
Bodhisattva in their net, a dragon with brilliant gold scales appeared from the
sea, according to tradition. As a result, the dragon carved into the lamp is
seen as another god guarding the temple.
Dragons that live in the seas are also thought to have
control over the clouds and rain in Japan. Asakusa used to be a town full of
fragile, fire-prone timber structures crowded tightly together. Because it was
a water dragon, this dragon was venerated as a deity who could save Asakusa
from fire with its water strength. This adds to the significance of the
sculpture at the bottom of the Thunder Gate light.
Hozomon Gate
 |
Hozomon Gate |
Hozomon is Sensoji's main gate, which dates back to the 10th
century but, like most of the temple's other structures, has been renovated
several times.
Hozomon, like Kaminarimon, is protected by two sculptures
that are claimed to be based on two great sumo wrestlers from the 1960s,
Kitanoumi and Myobudani Kiyoshi. A pair of massive waraji straw sandals,
constructed to commemorate the sculptor and weighing about 2.5 tons apiece, can
be seen at the rear of the monument on the right-hand side.
 |
Waraji straw sandal |
Joukoro
A big crowd generally gathers just inside the gate around
the joukoro, a giant incense burner supposed to cure the wounds of those who
bathe in its smoke.
 |
Joukoro |
Nakamise- Dori
Nakamise, a 200-meter-long retail strip within the temple
grounds, is one of Tokyo's largest souvenir markets. Its history as a commercial
center dates back centuries to the Edo era.
Nakamise, which runs between the Kaminarimon and Hozomon
gates, is home to about 90 stores offering traditional Japanese goods including
as kimonos, fans, and ukiyo-e woodblock prints, as well as a variety of foods
from the Asakusa neighborhood.
 |
Nakamise-Dori |
Omizuya
Before paying their respects, people cleanse their mouth and
hands at Omizuya. Omizuya is used by only Sensoji Temple and generally called
as Chozusha.
 |
| Omizuya |
Main Hall
When you arrive at the main hall, you can make your monetary offering and pray to Kannon, who is enshrined in the shrine's rear.
They propose putting your hands together in front of your chest and reciting the phrases Namu Kanzeon bosatsu at Sensoji Temple. The Japanese Buddhist way of expressing "Amen to Kannon Boddhisattva" is Namu Kanzeon Bosatsu.
 |
Main Hall |
At Main hall, at section Hondo's (main temple) if the place is open you can go there and make sure you look up to the ceiling. Some of the greatest painting are painted directly to the ceiling.
 |
Celestial Nymph Painting
|
 |
Dragon Painting |
Travel Guide πππ
These are some advice when someone go to temple or shrine or any sacred place that local people are protect the place.
Maintain a
calm and courteous demeanour. If you are unwell, have an open wound, or are
mourning, you are NOT PERMITTED TO ATTEND ⛔⛔⛔ shrine since they are regarded
impurities. Avoid going in the middle of the road on the way to the shrine;
instead, stick to the sides, as the centre is reserved for the deities.
Take
one of the supplied ladles to the purifying fountain at the shrine's entrance,
fill it with fresh water, and clean your left and right hands. Then, fill your
cupped hand with water, rinse your mouth, then spit the water alongside the
fountain. The water should not be swallowed or transferred immediately from the
ladle into your mouth.
Return no
water from the ladle to the fountain; instead, discard it beside the fountain.
It is recommended that you have a handkerchief on hand to dry your hands
afterward. You'll note that a lot of people skip the mouth washing or the
cleansing procedure entirely.
Throw a penny
into the offering box, bow twice, clap your hands twice, pray for a few
seconds, then bow once more in the offering hall. Use a bell or gong if one is
available before beginning the operation.
At
shrines, PHOTOGRAPHY IS TYPICALLY PERMITTED π«π«π«, with the exception of inside the
structures. When in doubt, look for signs or ask the temple personnel.
Last but not least, DO NOT LITTER!!! π―π―π―
