Sensoji (Asakusa Kannon Temple) 浅草寺
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Sensoji temple's Kaminarimon Gate. There's a large road in front and also a large paved area where festivals are held. 雷門
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Symbol of Tokyo: Kaminari-mon Gate with a giant red paper lantern. Pass through this gate to reach Asakusa Kannon Temple. 雷門
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One of Tokyo's most photographed buildings: Kaminari-mon Gate with a giant red paper lantern.
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Giant red paper lantern with the kanji characters "Kaminari Mon." The gate was reconstructed in 1960. The previous one was lost in a fire in 1865.
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Under the lantern on the gold cap, there's "Matsushita Denki" (Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. or Panasonic). The current Kaminarimon Gate and giant lantern were rebuilt in 1960 as a donation by Konosuke Matsushita.
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The lantern is covered with a protective net. The lantern can be collapsed like an accordion to allow tall objects (such as a mikoshi portable shrine during the Sanja Matsuri festival) to pass under the gate. It is also collapsed during typhoons.
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The famous Kaminarimon lantern was replaced with a new one in Nov. 2013. This is the back.
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The bottom of the new Kaminarimon lantern has this nice artwork.
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The temple is also called Kinryuzan, meaning Golden Dragon. 金龍山
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An unusual time when the giant lantern was removed for repairs. Asakusa looks very strange, almost naked, without the giant lantern.
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After passing through the Kaminarimon Gate, this is what you see: Nakamise shopping arcade. When it rains, a canopy is put up.
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Nakamise-dori souvenir arcade. One of Japan's most popular and crowded tourist arcades.
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In spring, a cherry blossom motif is put up.
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At the end of the year and New Year's, auspicious red and white and New Year's decorations are put up.
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Nakamise sells all kinds of Japanese things. Originally, they catered to religious pilgrims. Now it's mostly tourists.
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Kimono shop
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Kimono shop
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Traditional footwear
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Paper umbrellas
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Trinkets
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Small Kannon statues for 25,000 yen.
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Approaching another gate called Hozomon Gate. 宝蔵門
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Hozomon Gate ahead. 宝蔵門
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Hozomon Gate, means "Treasure Storage Gate." Indeed, the second floor houses important cultural properties. The gate was reconstructed in 1964, a ferroconcrete building.宝蔵門
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Being the main gate, Hozomon Gate is much bigger than Kaminarimon Gate, and it also had a giant paper lantern.
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Hozomon Gate
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Hozomon Gate's giant paper lantern.
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Behind Hozomon Gate is a pair of giant straw sandals hanging on the wall.
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Giant straw sandal.
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Sometimes on the way to Sensoji temple in Asakusa, you might see stalls selling seasonal gifts like the Hozuki Ground Cherry Pod Fair held on July 9th–10th.
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Hozuki Ground Cherry Pod Fair held annually on July 9th–10th.
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Hozuki Ground Cherry Pod Fair held on July 9th–10th in Asakusa.
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Hozuki Ground Cherry Pod Fair held on July 9th–10th.
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5-story pagoda reconstructed in 1973, made of ferroconcrete. Roof tiles made of aluminum alloy. 五重塔
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Place to buy a omikuji fortune paper.
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Hondo worship hall was reconstructed in 1958, made of ferroconcrete. The original Hondo was built in 1649 and a National Treasure until it was destroyed during World War II. 本堂
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Hondo worship hall 本堂
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Incense burner always attracts a crowd.
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Incense burner
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Incense burner
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Incense burner. Pat the smoke to the part of your body that needs to be healed.
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Water fountain 沙竭羅龍王像
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Hondo worship hall 本堂
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Steps going up to the Hondo main worship hall.
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Going to worship.
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View from Hondo worship hall
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Crowd during New Year's
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Inside Hondo worship hall 本堂
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Hondo worship hall 本堂
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Hondo worship hall altar 本堂
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Prayers in front of the altar and offertory box.
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Paintings on ceiling inside Hondo worship hall.
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Painting on ceiling of Hondo worship hall.
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Hondo worship hall side view 本堂
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Hondo worship hall side view 本堂
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Nitemon Gate in the east undergoing renovations. One of the few original buildings still intact. 二天門
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Nitemon Gate after renovations. Fresh paint makes it bright red. 二天門
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One of many Buddha statues within the temple grounds.
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Peace monument
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