We had a San Diego like weather day today. Bluebird skies and not too hot and not too cool. It was the perfect day for Asakusa and it was a sight to behold. We got off the subway and took a few block walk to get the the Asakusa Kannon Temple and the Nakmise Shopping Arcade. On our way we crossed the river and saw one of the architectual marvels in all the tour guides--the Asahi Beer Company Building, which I thought it looked like it had a squash on the roof, but Rich said the book said it is a horn. We loved the "old fashioned" feeling in Asakusa and the alley ways of traditional shops and restaurants. However, off the beaten path (or tourist area) we found Starbucks and a restaurant with pizza. We vow to eat Japanese food at least once before we leave here. I don't think the soba noodles, sushi, and tempura from the food store count.
We visited the famous Kannon Temple (Senso-Ji). Unfortunately, half of it is under construction or closed (the main hall and garden) and the Senso-ji Temple was not open to the public today. We did some shopping and finally got children's kimonos. We got the traditional type, but they are cotton and not silk, since the silk ones are 100,000 yen and need to be custom ordered and made and we don't have the time for that. They will still make a cute picture.
When we got back to Roppongi we went shopping at the market and up to the 45th floor of the Ritz-Carlton for a nice view. What a gorgeous hotel!
On our way to the Asakusa Kannon Temple and Shopping District. A view of the water and Ashai Beer Building with the horn on top.
Kaminarimon Gate -standing at the entrance to the processional road leading to the Senjo-Ji. It is a famous landmark.
Senso-ji is visited by nearly 30 million peopel every year and is Tokyo's oldest temple.
Entering the shopping village
Welcome to the Senso-ji Temple area. Lots of shopping before the temple and even inside you can purchase tranditional religious items.
We went down some cute shopping nooks and crannies to escape the crowds of the village
Thsi was a covered shopping area. I was searching for kimonos for children and finally found some.
Savannah is pointing to a pigeon. All the amazing things to see and fascinated by the birds.
She also noticed this outside one of the shops. We are missing our cats so we took a picture and tried to tell the store owner how cute her cat was (and well fed).
I was looking at the children's clothes and Savannah noticed the cat. I definitely have an animal lover.
The atmosphere was so different in Asakusa. A blend of the new with the old and ancient.
We couldn't read the sign to find our the significance of this statue in the street but many people were taking pictures by it so we did too.
Beautiful Asakusa
Savannah in the shopping village. Mommy in a store. The stores were very small and difficult to navigate even without a stroller.
Hozomon Gate-meaning treasure housing gate. Rebuilt many times. Two story gate housing treasures on the second floor.
Overview of the temple area
5 story pagoda. We couldn't go in. It was closed to the public. I don't know if that was just today or everyday or most days.
It is quite impressive even just outside
I thought it was cute that they made the clock look like a pagoda.
Walking around the complex, there are so many beautiful buildings, shrines, and temples.
Savannah loves to sit on rocks and there were fish in the receptacle behind her. She did not care that we couldn't go in the pagoda. She found a nice spot.
Insense burner. Burning incense is a huge part of the belief. You could buy them for 100 yen and burn them. It is believed that if you breathe in this steam you will have a long life and great health. Unfortunately, Savannah was scared of it, so Rich breathed in the health for all of us.
This is sacred fountain where you wash your hands before entering the temple.
Savannah and Mommy at the fountain. She wasn't afraid.
Savannah washing her hands. Some people were drinking the water too. We did not do that.
More rocks outside the gate
Asakussa Shrine
A view of the pagoda from this little garden. The main garden was closed and under construction.
It is a shame that so much, including the main hall was under construction, scaffolding, and blocked off. We still had a great time and got to see beautiful, traditional, landmarks.
After our day of touring, we went to the Miami Garden to eat and in honor of the building across the river Rich had a traditional Japanese beer. Savannah had lemonade, I had iced tea and we all had salad, pizza, and spaghetti.
On our way to the Asakusa Kannon Temple and Shopping District. A view of the water and Ashai Beer Building with the horn on top.
Kaminarimon Gate -standing at the entrance to the processional road leading to the Senjo-Ji. It is a famous landmark.
Senso-ji is visited by nearly 30 million peopel every year and is Tokyo's oldest temple.
Entering the shopping village
Welcome to the Senso-ji Temple area. Lots of shopping before the temple and even inside you can purchase tranditional religious items.
We went down some cute shopping nooks and crannies to escape the crowds of the village
Thsi was a covered shopping area. I was searching for kimonos for children and finally found some.
Savannah is pointing to a pigeon. All the amazing things to see and fascinated by the birds.
She also noticed this outside one of the shops. We are missing our cats so we took a picture and tried to tell the store owner how cute her cat was (and well fed).
I was looking at the children's clothes and Savannah noticed the cat. I definitely have an animal lover.
The atmosphere was so different in Asakusa. A blend of the new with the old and ancient.
We couldn't read the sign to find our the significance of this statue in the street but many people were taking pictures by it so we did too.
Beautiful Asakusa
Savannah in the shopping village. Mommy in a store. The stores were very small and difficult to navigate even without a stroller.
Hozomon Gate-meaning treasure housing gate. Rebuilt many times. Two story gate housing treasures on the second floor.
Overview of the temple area
5 story pagoda. We couldn't go in. It was closed to the public. I don't know if that was just today or everyday or most days.
It is quite impressive even just outside
I thought it was cute that they made the clock look like a pagoda.
Walking around the complex, there are so many beautiful buildings, shrines, and temples.
Savannah loves to sit on rocks and there were fish in the receptacle behind her. She did not care that we couldn't go in the pagoda. She found a nice spot.
Insense burner. Burning incense is a huge part of the belief. You could buy them for 100 yen and burn them. It is believed that if you breathe in this steam you will have a long life and great health. Unfortunately, Savannah was scared of it, so Rich breathed in the health for all of us.
This is sacred fountain where you wash your hands before entering the temple.
Savannah and Mommy at the fountain. She wasn't afraid.
Savannah washing her hands. Some people were drinking the water too. We did not do that.
More rocks outside the gate
Asakussa Shrine
A view of the pagoda from this little garden. The main garden was closed and under construction.
It is a shame that so much, including the main hall was under construction, scaffolding, and blocked off. We still had a great time and got to see beautiful, traditional, landmarks.
After our day of touring, we went to the Miami Garden to eat and in honor of the building across the river Rich had a traditional Japanese beer. Savannah had lemonade, I had iced tea and we all had salad, pizza, and spaghetti.
Beautiful.............
ReplyDeleteMiss you guys!
beautiful.
ReplyDeletenow girl, get the to the japanese restaurants!
That is just beautiful! I am glad you had nice weather!
ReplyDelete