Shrines and Temples, Tokyo

Favorite thing: Annk choose this picture because it reflects the contrast of the old and traditional and the modern. It is a view form the main building of the complex denominated Kozoji. The buildings are the back are not the highest in Tokyo but the constrast is there...And Tokyo, and Japan is that:
contrast.

Favorite thing: As different cultures meet in Tokyo, one of the most important sites one has to see is the Asakusa Kannon Shrine. One nice way to approach ist by boat, coming from the harbour and passing different bridges, replicas from bridges all over the world.

Fondest memory: The traffic!! Once we went by car from Yokohama to Tokyo during rush hour. We had to drive 3 hours for atrip which takes using the train app. 3/4 hours.

Favorite thing: SENSOJI TEMPLE
A good example of shrine not far from the centre, in Asakusa. At the Outer Tori (Gateway) is a long market (selling the usual tourist stuff and a few more interesting articles) along the path leading to the inner tori. Besides the main temple, there are many smaller ones, as well as gardens and other things.
Get There: Take the Toei Asakusa or the Ginza subway line to Asakusa station.

Favorite thing: Explore ASAKUSA: Famous for its SENSO-JI Temple (also known as KANNON-DO Temple) this is one temple you will always remember, especially for the street of shops lining behind the temple. This is where you'd like to stock up all the souvenirs for friends and loved ones before leaving Japan.

Getting There: Asakusa Station (Ginza & Toei-Asakusa Lines).
Tel: (03) 3842 0181.
Open Daily: 6 am - 5 pm.


Fondest memory: Pictured: Asakusa Jinja - Shrine built in 1649 dedicated to the men who found the Kannon statue.

Favorite thing: Buy yourself good-luck charms (omamori). These charms are sold everywhere at shrines across Japan & common themes relating to good luck in examinations, general health, fertility & safe driving. Charms are written on paper & tucked into the cloth bag which are then worn next to the body.

Favorite thing: Take a stroll & experience Shintoism in the most important Shinto shrine in Tokyo, MEIJI JINGU (IMPERIAL SHRINE) (1920). This is where the Emperor Meiji (reigned 1868-1912) & Empress Soken are enshrined.

SHINTO is Japan's oldest religion.
State religion from 1870s-1940s.
Core concept: Deities (kami) preside over all things (including dead & inanimate) in nature & are worshiped at shrines (jinja) erected all over Japan, be it on the hills or along waysides.
Rituals & habits originating from Shinto: purification & austere aesthetic.
Torii: Icon of Shinto. Gateway to the sacred precincts of the shrine.

Getting There: Harajuku Station (Yamanote Line).
Open Daily: Mar-May, Jul-Oct: 9 am - 4.30 pm; Jun: 8 am - 5 pm; Nov-Feb: 9 am - 4 pm.


Fondest memory: Walking under the canopy of cedars which leads into the shrine grounds is a very pleasant experience. The tranquility experienced here makes one forget that this is right in the center of one of the most dynamic cities in the world!

The are many wooden torii & the most impressive is one that the Japanese calls Otorii which was built in 1975 from huge logs that came from a 1500-year-old Japanese cypress on Mt. Tandai in Taiwan!

Favorite thing: Nakamise-dori: This street have shops which will enchant you with their traditional arts & crafts as obi sashes, fans, dolls & kimonos.
A fascinating place :)

Fondest memory: Every visit to Tokyo warrants a visit to Asakusa; this is where I get my supply of souvenirs. Love the kimono-style housecoats sold in these little shops. Pricing is quite reasonable here; so have no worry!

Favorite thing: SENSO-JI Temple (popularly known as ASAKUSA KANNON): Tokyo's most sacred temple.
In 628, 2 fishermen fished a small gold statue of Kannon (Buddhist Goddess of Mercy) from the Sumida River & their master built a shrine to Kannon. In 645, holy man Shokai built a temple to Kannon.