Senso-ji, Asakusa at Night

Senso-ji is the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo. It's the most popular temples located in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan. Two brothers fished a stature of Kannon at the Sumida river in 628. Hajino Nakamaro, who is headman of Asakusa heard about it and built temple. In the early year of Edo, Ieyasu Tokugawa designated as tutelary temple for Tokugawa government. Now around 30 million visitors visit Senso-ji every year. 


Kaminarimon 

Kaminarimon "Thunder gate" is the entrance to the temple. The statue of Fujin stands on the right and the statue of Rigin stands on the left.


Nakamise-dori

Nakamise-dori is the shopping street on the approach to temple. Many foods and souvenirs are sold. There are 54 stores on the east side and 35 stores on the west side.


You can buy many Maneki-neko goods. Maneki-neko "beckoning cat" is a lucky charm.  Maneki-neko brings good luck to the owner. People usually display Maneki-neko on the entrance of the store. It must be a cat connection... I'm not sure Hello Kitty brings good luck.
  

These are Japanese traditional close, Happi, Kimono and Yukata.


Mask of Japanese Hyottoko (clown mask), Okame (plain looking woman), Tengu (Long nose goblin) and Fox and statue of Buddha were sold.


The lights on the sidewalk were so beautiful. 

You can see Tokyo Sky Tree. 


Japanese lantern and key chain.


I believe that you can enjoy seeing some Japanese traditional things on approach to the temple.

Hozomon

Hozomon is the gate for Senso-ji. It was built on 942.　There is a pair of statue Nio (guardian for Buddha). Si it had been called Niomon too. The gate burn and rebuilt on 1964.

A statue of Nio

Five-storied Pagoda

Five-storied Pagoda was built in 942 and rebuilt on 1973. It was said the ashes of Buddha was put in there. It's a national treasure.

Main Hall (Kannondo Hall)

The Main Hall was built by third Tokugawa Shogun Iemitsu Tokugawa in 1945. But it was rebuilt by donations from adherents in 1958. A statue of the Kannon is expose on December 13 every year.

The lights of lantern were fantastic. 

If you visit Japan first time, I recommend you should visit Senso-ji. Asakusa is the most popular sightseeing spots. You find Japanese traditional culture. 

Senso-ji HP: http://www.senso-ji.jp/about/index_e.html

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