Asakusa Kannon Temple, Tokyo, Japan
Posted by: 
michael3900
N 35° 42.861 E 139° 47.802
54S E 391157 N 3952933
Asakusa Kannon Temple, is the oldest temple in Tokyo.
Waymark Code: WM4NVF
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Date Posted: 09/13/2008
Views: 56
Asakusa Kannon Temple, is the oldest temple in Tokyo. It is also home to Tokyo's most famous shinto festival. The Asakusa Kannon Temple is the oldest temple in Tokyo.
According to legend, one day in the 7th century, two local fishermen discovered a statue of Kannon, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy in their nets. The first temple is said to have been built on this site to house this statue. Since then the temple has been rebuilt and made bigger many times. It is believed that the original statue of Kannon found by the fishermen is buried beneath the gold plated shrine which is behind the main altar in the Main Hall.
The Kaminarimon - the Gate of the God of Thunder- with its huge red lantern, is the main entrance to the temple. The Japanese believe that the gate separates the everyday world from the divine world.
At the end of the street, a smaller gateway opens to a five-story pagoda and the Main Hall. Near by is a fountain with many ladles. People cleanse their hands and rinse their mouths before entering the temple. This washes away any impurities.
Next to the fountain is a bronze incense burner. Worshipers wave smoke over their bodies to heal or prevent illness. People climb the steps to offer prayers to Kannon, Goddess of Mercy.
Open to visitors?: Yes
Photography Permitted Inside?: Yes
Statue of the Buddha present?: Yes
Related Website: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:Include in your log one or two complete sentences. Logs containing a few words like "visited it" are subject to deletion.
Photos of the shrine are strongly encouraged when permitted otherwise please refrain from taking pictures inside and in any case, generally have respect for the religious nature of the site.