Hello friends! I spent 12 wonderful days in Japan from late March to early April, and this is the first of the series! On the second day of our trip (as the first day was our overnight flight to Narita), we went to the Senso-Ji, a famous temple located in Asakusa. Asakusa is located in Tokyo’s Taito City district. It was a cold rainy day, which isn’t ideal for photos or going out in general, but I still had a good time.
About the Senso-Ji
The Senso-Ji (also known as the Asakusa Kannon) is Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple. It is dedicated to Kannon (also known as Guanyin in Chinese). Guanyin/Kannon is the bodhisattva (a person who is on the path to Buddhahood) of compassion. Not far from the Senso-Ji is Asakusa Shrine, dedicated to Shinto.
According to legend, when the capital of Japan was in Asuka, in what is now Nara prefecture, two brothers (Hinokuma and Takenari) were fishing in the Sumida River. The brothers pulled up their net to find there was one statue in there. They brought the statue to their village headman. When the headman realized they had a statue of the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva (Sho Kanzeon Bosatsu), he dedicated himself to Buddhism. He renovated his house into a temple and spent the rest of his days worshipping and holding memorial services towards this Kannon.
About Kannon/Guanyin
Kannon is the bodhisattva of compassion and mercy. He is known as Guanyin in Chinese Buddhism. Kannon can appear in various forms:
- Juichimen (11 faces)
- Senju (1000 hands)
- Nyoirin (wish-granting jewel and Dharma wheel
These are based on Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, who had two hands and one face.
Festivals and Celebrations
The worshippers at Asakusa Kannon celebrate six holidays per year:
- Hatsumode (January 1-7)- praying for safety, good health, and good harvest throughout the coming year
- Setsubun (February 3rd)- celebrating the coming of spring. To celebrate, worshippers throw dried beans to drive out evil and bring good luck. As there are no demons near the Kannon, worshippers say “Long Life! Welcome good fortune!” instead of the traditional “Demons out!”
- Honzon Jigen-e (March 18)- celebrates the appearance of the Bodhisattva Kannon
- Hanamatsuri (April 8)- celebrates Buddha’s birthday. Worshippers sprinkle hydrangea tea on the Buddha statue.
- Shiman-rokusen-nichi (July 9-10)- on these two days, prayers made at the Asakusa Kannon are considered to be 46,000 times more powerful than any other time of year. Vendors also sell potted hozuki (lantern plants) around this time.
- Osame-no-Kannon Goennichi (December 17-19)- the last festival of the year
How to get to the Asakusa Kannon
Asakusa Kannon is a 5-minute walk from Asakusa Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza line by train. You can reach it by taking a train on the Toei Asakusa Line, Tobu Skytree Line, or the Tsukaba Express.
The Asakusa Kannon and Surrounding Area
This little shopping street we passed by to get to the Asakusa Kannon.
A treasure chest that remains protected.
The five-story pagoda in the background.
Photos of the Asakusa Shrine, the Shinto shrine adjacent to the Senso-Ji.
The Hozo-mon Gate.
Nakamise Shopping Street, located adjacent to the Senso-Ji. When we visited, the shops were just getting ready to open.
The Kaminari-Mon Gate.
Small stands where people can pay 100 yen (about 66 US cents) to get a fortune.
Sake barrels can be found at almost any temple.
Smaller Buddha statue
A sign in front of the Asakusa Kannon
Inscribed stone pillar at the temple
Neatby statue of some pigeons
Statue of one of the Gatekeepers. Gatekeepers are minor kami (gods) that protect a shrine or temple from evil.
Asakusa Kannon gate
Hanging laterns not far from the Temple.
Neighborhood outside the Asakusa Kannon.
Asakusa Kannon is one of the most beautiful temples I’ve been to, and the fact that it has a little shopping street makes it more unique. You can find several items like protection charms and souvenirs in the shopping street.
Asakusa Kannon Address:
2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan
Have you ever been to Asakusa Kannon before?
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Japan is right at the very top of my bucket list so I really enjoyed reading this! Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Thank you for reading Chloe! Japan has been a bucket list destination for a long time for me so it was a dream come true to go!