Sensoji Temple

For most of the twentieth century, Asakusa was the major entertainment district in Tokyo. The golden years of Asakusa are vividly portrayed in Kawabata's novel "The Scarlet Gang of Asakusa" (1930; English translation, 2005). In its role as a pleasure district, it has now been surpassed by Shinjuku and other colorful areas of the city. ~Wikipedia

Got bored of studies and went to Asakusa (浅草) last Friday. It was scorching hot, 35°C , according to an air-conditioner's giant billboard. It was a miracle that I didn't pass out on the streets. Phew!

Rickshaw (人力車, jinrikisha), anyone?

This is the Kaminarimon (雷門), the gate to Asakusa's famous temple, Sensoji (浅草寺).

The giant lantern is one of Asakusa's landmarks.

The four gods guarding the gate. The first one is the God of Thunder; the second one, the God of Wind.

The Nakamise shopping arcade. Stalls lined up all the way from the gate to the temple.

Sensoji Temple. See the giant lantern again?

There you go!

Giant urn with burning incense for purification.

沙竭羅龍王像 (Bronze statue)

The main shrine (観音堂, kanon dō). Devotees clap their hands twice and make small offerings by tossing coins into the box.

The Five Storied Pagoda was built in 1973 and amongst others, it stands in honour of comedians! It's 53.32 meters high, reinforced with concrete and steel, and like all pagodas, running down the centre is a giant pillar of Japanese Cypress tree wood. Around this, the five stories are loosely packed, resulting in a highly flexible structure able to withstand earth tremours. ~Tokyo Essentials, Tokyo Guide

Shibaraku Statue. The copper statue of Danjure Ichikawa, a famous Kabuki actor. He is shown in the role depicting "Shibaraku" which was his forte.

- 15 July 2006, Saturday -