Asakusa
I’d like to take a moment of silence, to thank all the presidents for making it possible that Jon and I take off work last Monday. With our free time, we decided to check out the Sensō-ji temple in Asakusa.
Next to the temple is the famous 5-story pagoda
The Sensō-ji temple is one of Tokyo’s oldest and most significant. Which basically makes it a tourist trap, proudly slanging buddha-kitch and rickshaw rides.
I’ve been planning a post dedicate to the shrines that we’re visiting and how all of that relates to Shinto, the national religion. I find it very fascinating. Briefly though, check out these prayer candles. You make an offering, grab a candle and light it from the larger flame – all of which are then housed in a nice glass house. Sounds oddly like Catholicism if you ask me.
This shrine was like the theme-park of shinto. I didn’t like it. Of course, I make no claims at being an expert on the religion, but I do think it deserves a little more respect than “stand here, waft incense to purify yourself. now stand here. make offering, light candle, bow, NEXT!!” Nearby, but far enough to not draw crowds, was a well kept Japanese garden.
Some of the first buds of spring. Perhaps they’re just weather patterns, but I seem to only find flowering trees next to shrines.
…and where there are shrines, there are usually temples not far away. If my internet education serves me correct, this is where the buddhist gather to bury the dead. This building has seen some better days. The contrast in this neighborhood, of the ancient and the modern side by side, is really striking. The same could probably be said for the Japanese culture.
While it wasn’t the crazy japanese adventure dinner that we have been seeking out that night, we did find a nice wine shop to rest our weary souls in. There’s something familiar and comforting in a bottle of French red, even (or especially) if you’re on the other side of the world.
One VERY busy train ride later, and we were back home.