Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo

Check-in at Senso-ji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo, Japan. 🔖 Senso-ji Temple dates back to 628 AD. At that time, a pair of fishing brothers accidentally discovered a statue of Kannon, and devout people believed it to be a 'manifestation of Kannon', so they began to build a temple to enshrine the Bodhisattva Kannon within. Therefore, Senso-ji is a genuine Buddhist temple. Due to its long history and favor from the Tokugawa shogunate, it has become the most important temple in Tokyo, with more than 30 million people visiting each year. 🔻 The Kaminarimon Gate is the symbol of Senso-ji Temple, and Asakusa is the grand stage of the common people's life. The Kaminarimon, as the main gate of Senso-ji Temple, was built in 942 AD to pray for peace and a bountiful harvest. It is a famous sight in Asakusa. The gate has a giant red lantern weighing 670 kilograms hanging in the center, with the four characters 'Kaminarimon' written on it, which is very eye-catching. It was donated by the industrialist Konosuke Matsushita after he recovered from an illness following a prayer to the Asakusa Kannon, as a token of gratitude. The Hozomon Gate immediately attracts attention with the giant straw sandals hanging on both sides of the gate. It is said that these sandals, measuring 4.5 meters in length, 1.5 meters in width, and weighing 500 kilograms, were offered to Senso-ji Temple by a folk group from Murayama City, Yamagata Prefecture, with the intention of warding off evil spirits. Quite interesting. 🔻 The Five-story Pagoda is the only existing five-story pagoda in Tokyo, and its top layer contains the relics of Shakyamuni Buddha, making it the most important building of Senso-ji Temple. The pagoda, with its solemn and dignified appearance, echoes the main buildings that are predominantly red, and is a typical wooden religious building in the Tang Dynasty style. 🔻 The Main Hall is also known as the Kannon Hall because it is where the statue of the principal deity Kannon is enshrined. The architecture of the main hall is very distinctive, looking from a distance like an official's hat. It is said that to highlight its imposing presence, the roof tiles were deliberately laid at a steeper angle, which indeed has a significant effect, but for safety, titanium tiles must be used. 🔻 Enjoying the Cuisine The snack street 'Nakamise Shopping Street', Ningyo-yaki, a specialty of Senso-ji Temple, is named after Ningyocho in Chuo Ward, where it originated. Along with Kaminarimon and the Five-story Pagoda, it is known as one of the 'three famous things of Senso-ji Temple'. There are also Asakusa's deep-fried buns and ice cream, which are not to be missed delicacies. ♦️ Encountering a Japanese temple is a wonderful thing, whether it's the grand hall or the gardens of Senso-ji Temple, they all give one a sense of inner tranquility, living in the moment, and making every moment of life complete. The Pure Land is always in the heart.