ASAKUSA SEN-SOJI

Sen-soji temple is dedicated to the Bodhisattva Kannon. According to legend, a statue of the Kannon was found in the Sumida River in 628 by two fishermen, the brothers Hinokuma Hamanari and Hinokuma Takenari.

Recognizing the sanctity of the statue, Hajino Nakamoto, the chief of their village, inshrined the statue by transforming his own house into a small temple in Asakusa so that the villagers could worship the Kannon.

Completed in 645, Senso-ji became Tokyo's oldest temple.

The back entrance of sen-soji

A quiet contemplative garden kept in the distinctive Japanese style within the temple.

Guarding dog under the sakura trees.

The friendship monument.

Drink the water under the warrior and you will be prettier and healtier than ever!

Worshippers burnt incense and held the smoke, they believed that patting the smoke on your head would make you smarter; patting on your face would make you prettier;patting on your body would make you slimmer; er.... what about patting on your butt? Hmm......

Senso-ji main building

Within the precincts stand a stately five-story pagoda, which is devoted to Kannon Bosatsu

Lanterns along Nakamise-dori street

Nakamise-dori, the street leading from the Kaminari-mon to the Hozo-mon, is lined with small shops selling souvenirs ranging from traditional sweets, Buddhist scrolls, folding fans etc .

Yukata & Kimono are on sale as well.

Another gate

Kaminari- mon (Thunder Gate), the outer gate of the Sensoji and symbol of Asakusa.

This imposing Buddhist structure features a gigantic paper lantern dramatically painted in vivid red-and-black tones to suggest thunderclouds and lightning.

Hozo-mon, the main gate