Senso-ji, An Ancient Buddhist Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo - New Year's Japan Travel Day 4

Friday, March 23, 2018

Senso-ji, An Ancient Buddhist Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo - New Year's Japan Travel Day 4

My husband and I traveled Japan during this New Year's holidays. As I mentioned in my previous entry, we enjoyed traditional Japanese sweets on our way to Senso-ji in Asakusa, Tokyo.

Nakamise Shopping Street

There were so many people walking toward Senso-ji (浅草寺), an ancient Buddhist temple located in Asakusa. Yet, I guessed that it's less crowded than the following days because it was December 30, which was a few days before New Year's Day. Visiting a shrine, temple, on New Year's days is called hatsumode (初詣) in Japanese. It's told that nearly three million people visit Senso-ji on January 1st through January 3rd.

Nakamise Shopping Street

Senso-ji

Senso-ji
2-3-1 Asakusa
Taito
Tokyo, Japan

Senso-ji

Jokoro (常香炉), a huge incense burner, at Senso-ji

People were bathing smoke coming from Jokoro (常香炉), a huge incense burner. People try to purify themselves by bathing smoke. Some people wish that they could recover from illness or could get rid of pain. Some people wish that they could be smarter to pass an important exam by covering their heads with smoke.

Jokoro (常香炉), a huge incense burner, at Senso-ji

Hondo of Senso-ji

Then, we walked toward hondo (本堂) of Senso-ji. Hondo means a main building of a temple and shrine.

Hondo of Senso-ji

Saisen Box at Hondo of Sensoji

People throw coins in a saisen box (賽銭箱) and wish something there.

Tokinokane (時の鐘), Bell of Time

This is Tokinokane (時の鐘), Bell of Time, located in Asakusa. A priest of the temple tolls this bell at 6 a.m. every morning. In addition, at midnight on December 31 through January 1, the bell is rung 108 times. It's called joya no kane (除夜の鐘).

Tokinokane (時の鐘), Bell of Time

Komainu (狛犬)

These statues are Komainu (狛犬), which are also called lion dogs in English. They are guarding the entrance of a temple or shrine.

Komainu and Toki No Kane in Asakusa

Paper Lantern

These were paper lanterns which are called chochin (提灯, ちょうちん) in Japanese.

I uploaded this video on my YouTube channel. :)

Then, we decided to go to Tokyo Skytree because we could see it from Asakusa. :) On our way to Tokyo Skytree, we stopped by Mini Stop Convenience store. I'll write about it next time. :)