Visit Tokyo: Sensoji Temple

Sensoji Temple, a Buddhist temple dedicated to the bodhisattva Kannon, is Tokyo's oldest temple with the first temple founded in 645 AD.  To get to the temple, visitors first enter through the Kaminarimon or Thunder Gate and walk through Nakamise-dori, a shopping street selling traditional local snacks and Japanese souvenirs.

The kids at the Thunder Gate

Crowded Nakamise-dori

Exploring Nakamise-dori was very fun and we all enjoyed stopping for ice cream and the very delicious melon pan.  The street ends in front of the Hozomon or Treasure House Gate which is the entrance to the main temple and five story pagoda.  

Stop for goodies!

Inside the temple, you can purchase charms to bring you happiness, health or good luck among other things.  For a small donation, you can try omikuji and seek a written fortune.  Another highlight at Sensoji is the large incense burner.  It is tradition to wave the smoke towards you to purify yourself.  I told the kids to wave the smoke towards their heads to help them in school.  We also visited the purification fountain where visitors can lightly cleanse their hands and mouths.  

Customary to wave the smoke towards you.

Cleansing hands.

I really enjoyed this experience in Asakusa.  It was a great learning experience and gave the kids a deeper look into Japan's history and culture.