Sydney Insider Goes to Japan (Part 4)

Now let's go see some shrines. It's about time, right? But before anything else, I just want to make it clear that you won't get a lesson about Japanese culture in this blog. I just want to share with you some photos of the places I've been to while having a holiday in Japan.

First stop, the Asakusa Kaminarimon which is the first of two large entrance gates before reaching the Sensouji (temple). This leads to the Nakamise or shopping street (about 200 metres) where you can see all kinds of Japanese souvenir items like the kimono, kabuki wigs and ninja weapons.

Upon reaching the second gate which is called the  Hozomon, there is a pagoda and  two  stations  where visitors purify themselves before proceeding to the temple. One, called the chozuya has dragons with flowing water and people scoop some water and clean their mouth or hands while the other has burning incense and people fan themselves with the smoke coming out of something like a big cauldron.

It is not allowed to take photos inside the shrine. However, I managed to take photos of some of its parts and around it.  Here is a photo of the buddha, the straw slippers of the buddha hanging from a wall, the golden door knock and the lantern which adorns the hall of the shrine.

Here are photos of the surrounding gardens and smaller shrines.

Next stop is Kamakura which is about a one-hour trip from Tokyo if taking the Japan Rail's Yokosuka Line.  Upon reaching Kamakura, there is a sign that says "Welcome to Kamakura, the Home of the Samurai".  The first shrine is the Hachimangu, the most popular and important shrine in Kamakura. 

A long line of  Cherry blossom trees and a paved walk leads to the main torii. (Sadly though, it wasn't the right season when I went there.) From left to right: (1) The paved walk (2) from the end of the Cherry blosson trees and 100 metres away from the shrine (3) at the foot of the stairs to the main shrine. (Click on the photo for larger view)

Here are a few more photos taken at the top of the stairs: parts of the shrine, the wall of paper strips with fortunes written in them called the omikoji  and another wall with prayers written on wooden slabs.

Then, there's the Great Buddha of Kamakura called the daibutsu (which  is 13.35 meters).  It is made of bronze and is hollow on the inside. For a small amount, one can go inside and peep thru a window at the back of the buddha.  I chose to display here photos in black and white because it was a bit cloudy and the rain was about to fall when I took these shots.

Coming up, next...Tokyo Disneyland!