seranilo's Journal

Senso-ji, the Famous Tokyo Temple

Having written a big number of help assignment papers about Japan, I could not imagine that I would have the opportunity to see those Japanese wonders described in books and articles on my own. I would like to write a series of articles devoted to my impressions connected with Tokyo, one of the most incredible places in the world. This time, I will talk about Senso-ji, a famous temple in Asakusa.

The Senso-ji temple is a very old and magnificent building: it dates back to the 7th century. According to the legend, two brothers went to a river in the Eastern Asakusa, and their net brought a statue of Kannon that became “the first brick” in construction of the temple. The place meets you with the impressive Kaminarimon gate decorated with a huge red lantern . The whole complex – and especially the Kaminaron gate alley – is very crowded. There is enough space for entertainment and trade: you can buy a bright umbrella, a fan or a souvenir, or even use a rickshaw service. Frankly speaking, this seemed really contrasting to the ascetic image of Buddhism I got when writing a custom research paper about this religion.

I fell in love with this place, “very Japanese” and very charming. I am terribly sad about the fact I did not the place during Sanja Matsuri, the famous Shinto festival. This festival of beauty and spirituality is definitely what one should not miss. So I hope I will come back to Tokyo in the late spring and see it.