Tokyo never ceases to amaze.

Posted on October 15, 2007 by Hanuman Welch

Seriously. I have been to Tokyo enough times to feel comfortable finding my way on the JR and the local subway lines. I know which spots in ShinjukuOne of Tokyo's 23 wards and home to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and the world's busiest train station. to avoid and where to go to get an amazing bowl of ramen. This city, though, always finds a way to leave me stunned and gawking; with my mouth hanging open like a fresh off the plane gaijinJapanese word meaning "outsider" commonly used to describe foreigners. Considered somewhat impolite. .

Senso-Ji temple is a perfect example. Tucked away in a sedate corner of Taito, the temple perfectly encapsulates all that is modern day Japan. The temple is nestled in the neighborhood of Asakusa, and it is sometimes erroneously referred to as Asakusa temple, as opposed to Senso-ji. The temple is the oldest in all of Tokyo and one of it's most significant.

The temple is devoted to the bodhisattva Kannon, as well as being attached to an adjacent ShintoThe traditional animistic belief system of Japan. It was the official state religion of Japan until the postwar period. shrine. The temple was almost completely destroyed during WWII and was rebuilt after the war. This subsequent rebuilding had come to symbolize Japan's rebirth in the post-war era. Serving to further the temple's symbolic relevance; a tree that was devastated during a bombing raid in WWII; has since had a new tree grow in its place, using the burned out husk as a new home.

Probably the most famous image associated with the temple is the "thunder gate".

The tremendous paper lantern that ornaments Senso-Ji's main gate is about as post-card worthy as you can get. The dramatic contrast of black ink on red paper is meant to represent the heavenly spectacle of lightening ripping through thunder-clouds. Kaminari-mon can not be missed by anyone visiting the temple.

After passing through the main thunder gate, visitors are faced with teeming vendor stalls. Selling everything from kimonos, toys, daruma figures, tempuraDeep fried seafood and vegetables that have been dipped in batter made from water, flour, and eggs. , soba, and virtually every other form of OmiyageSouvenirs given to family, friends, coworkers, etc. Typically sweets or other food representing one of the specialties of the visited region. Failing to give such a gift after taking trip is a serious cultural faux pas in Japan. known to man. These stalls have been doing exactly this type of business for centuries.

The temple also houses the ever ubiquitous omikujiRandom fortune usually written on a small strip of paper pulled from a box or other receptacle. There are 12 possible fortunes ranging from "Great Blessing" to "Great Curse". It may actually be considered bad luck to draw "Great Blessing" as one's luck can only go down from that point. stalls. For a small price tourists can consult the gods for advice, fortune, and luck. A visit to any temple is never complete without a detour to one of these.

Senso-ji perfectly defines the present state of Japan. An emotioanlly stirring juxtaposition of old and new. Ancientness and modernity existing in perfect harmony. The centuries of yesterday slowly baking in the neon glow of the Tokyo of tomorrow. An amazing temple and an easy, welcome pit stop in the tangle of Tokyo.

Enjoy.