On our way to another adventure and since it is our fourth day in Tokyo we were quite familiar with the streets near our hotel. We also realized that there is another subway just very near us that also connects us to more POI's quite conveniently. This huge orange pipe installation (beside Hooters restaurant) always gets our attention every time we pass by on the way to Otemachi Station. We really do not have any clue what it's supposed to be but to answer Casey's questioning gaze at the installation, we just call it pipes! :)
.... and yes that is a car just off the streets of Tokyo! :)
The Renaissance-style red brick architecture of Tokyo Station was originally built in 1914. This welcomed us the moment we arrived in Tokyo and as we passed by the area for the nth time, the husband still finds a different angle to capture the structure.
'Jinrikisha' literally means man-powered vehicle. It is the same rickshaw in China. In Malacca and Singapore, rickshaws are non-existent but instead trickshaws are the more convenient way of exploring historical places. Not Asakusa in Tokyo.
The sight of this Jinrikisha welcomed us as we got off the subway. It is quite pricey but we wanted to try this dying mode of transportation so we paid it anyway. As mentioned, at this point, our POI to explore would be Asakusa. This district has long been Tokyo's entertainment capital. During Edo period this place was a very famous red light district and a good place to catch kabuki theaters. It is a place to visit because it holds Sensoji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo to have been built in 628. The Grand Kaminarimon gate with the large lantern is also a trademark in the area.
That's us in the Jinrikisha! :)
We were lucky to meet this rickshaw driver, Ryoma Takano. His knowledge on the area is commendable. His propensity to take us to nice photo spots (when he saw my husband clicking non-stop) and offering to take photos for us was a plus!
One of the places he took us was Raccoon Street. This street holds the Chingodo Shrine with a statue of the Japanese raccoon god, Tanuki. Japanese legend says that raccoon's can shape shift 8 times. So on this street you can actually see raccoon's in different shapes and representation. He brought us to the statue of the raccoon for ladies where they pray to look pretty. Then, he said I do not need it because I am already beautiful. ~wink
Another raccoon he brought us to was for couples to pray to, to have a strong lasting relationship. Each corner in the street would have another raccoon statue representing different parts of society. The street was pretty quiet really. Not much business, mostly houses or the back entrance of businesses.
Look at the mock robber on the roof! :)
As we were nearing the entrance to Sensoji, we see more stores and shops. As the temple is a major tourist destination in Tokyo, the streets leading to the temple have a vibrant, festive mood going on already. Of course, Casey saw his fave ice cream cone again and requests for one! This cone was pretty unique, it has the Sakura flavor. :)
Sensoji is the biggest Buddhist Temple in Tokyo. The time we were there, it was quite crowded even if it was a weekday with both worshippers and tourists visiting. The architecture, especially the 5-storey pagoda is impressive! The big drums, lanterns, pictures of the dragon everywhere and fierce-looking temple guards had Casey quiet for awhile. He started running around the grounds and exploring the place on his own once he got comfortable. Of course I got to follow him around while the husband took wonderful photos for us to remember.
Japan still has 'poso' as what we're accustomed to calling them in bisaya. An artesian well, distinctively located at the temple grounds, well where people cool off after worship.
When I saw this lady, I just can't stop badgering the husband to take her picture. As much as I love heels, I believe there has to be a limit to its height. This is too high for me especially when doing lots of walking and exploring a new place. I am not so sure though if she is a tourist or a local.
There is an instruction on how to use this fountain on the walls so we had to abide by it. You have to scoop water in this cup-like container, wash your hands and face then take a sip. We have no idea what it's suppose to mean but worshippers pass by this area before going inside the temple. It is as if they wash themselves clean first before entering and paying their respect to their god.
If you have been to a Buddhist temple there is always a thing on fortune. Sensoji is no exception. There is one area dedicated to allowing visitors to try their fortune.There is this steel container with a good number of small sticks in it. You shake it and get one stick out. There is a corresponding Japanese writing to it and you get your fortune based on that Japanese phrase that is also written in a drawer with the same phrase. Mine was a not-so-nice fortune. You are suppose to tie your paper with that negative fortune in a certain way in those designated steel wires. It is believed the negativity remains in the temple. If you receive a positive one, you have two choices. Either, you keep that for your own already or still tie it to the wire for your fortune to multiply.
In between the actual temple gate and the thunder gate, is a street of shops that has been existing for centuries as well. They call this area the Nakamise. This street leads you to the temple and sells Japanese trinkets and souvenir items. This is where we got our fridge magnet collection of Japan!
The street food was also something worth a try. The significant sweet I can remember was rice cracker wrapped in seaweed. That was a truly Japanese experience.
Before heading off to another POI for the day, we dropped by the tempura stall that our rickshaw driver mentioned has also existed for decades. We had it take-away as we have another POI we want to catch! Now, one of Casey's favorite toy, Himiko! :)
This is another view of Asahi Brewery during daylight. Beside the huge beer pitcher and mug-shaped building, is the famous Tokyo Skytree.
POI's for this entry:
> Asakusa District
> Raccoon Street
> Nakamise Shopping Street
> Sinsoji Temple
> Jinrikisha Ride
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