Throughout this entire trip, we visited many temples and shrines throughout Japan. One of my favorite temples we visited was the Sensoji Temple or Asakusa Kannon Temple. It was so grandeur and unique as it was nestled amidst the bustling cityscape. This ancient Buddhist temple was an opportunity to immerse myself in Japan’s rich cultural and religious heritage. It helped me reflect the importance and interconnectedness of religion and spirituality.
We were first welcomed by the huge Thunder Gate or Kaminarimon that had a massive red lantern and two statues guarding the entrance. After taking a group picture here, we entered in the gate to be greeted by several souvenir and food stalls that were all too tempting. Even with the slight rainfall, you can see that this was the place to be as other tourists and locals sprawl over the place.
Some of us in the group decided to look into our fortune by paying 100 yen and shaking a jar to get a number that would reveal the drawer to look into for our fortune. We celebrated the good fortune and tied up the bad fortune at the wooden racks. After walking down this street, we approached the main hall of Sensoji Temple, known as Hondo. It was a beautiful building with intricate architectural details, vibrant colors, and strong scent of incense from the urn. I witnessed visitors purifying themselves with the smoke from the incense and offering prayers at the altar. It showed the important role of Sensoji Temple as beyond a tourist spot and how it is a place of worship and spiritual solace for many.
Behind the main building, there was a beautiful garden with its perfectly manicured landscapes, koi ponds, and pagodas. I loved seeing the koi fish in the pond as I walked over the bridge. I honestly forgot that I was in the middle of the most busiest cities in the entire world. Thereafter, we made our way to Asakusa where we had the opportunity to further explore small stores and food. I tried Takoyaki and bought gift cards and jewelry. All in all, I really enjoyed my time visiting the Sensoji Temple I took in its beauty and grandeur architecture. Even though religious influence on Japanese society has been decreasing, especially among the younger population, visiting this temple reminded me of the intricate and old roots of Buddhism and how it evolved from its origins.
