2 Go Japan Photos

After our long, yet fun and luxurious, plane ride from San Francisco, we arrived, rather fatigued, at Japan's Narita airport. After finding a room upon arrival through the tourist information office, we rode by train for roughly 70 minutes into Tokyo. Our fabulous time in this massive, interesting city began at our Ryokan, a Japanese style inn.

We stayed at Suzuki Ryokan, a Japanese style inn, whose charm was intensified by the custom associated with this type of accommodation. To begin, shoes are never worn inside, and stay at the front door. Here, Kelly tucks her boots away in the small foot locker corresponding to our room.

Here we model Ryokan fashion (yes, Rich is quite aware that he looks rather silly), the yukata, a loose cotton robe tied with a belt provided to all guests. What also was interesting about our room was its design. The floor is covered with a traditional straw mat known as the tatami, and the bed is futon like, laid on the tatami without a frame. It was actually very comfortable, Rich's vote for the best bed of the trip. In addition, in lieu of a desk, there is a small, square, and low table, complete with cushions for sitting on the floor.

The Kaminari-mon, or "Thunder Gate", with its enormous paper lantern, marks the principal approach to the Senso-ji Temple, one of the most atmospheric temples in all of Tokyo. This temple was founded in the mid 1600's to enshrine a tiny golden image of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, that was caught in the nets of two local fisherman.

Another gate, Hozo-mon, stands in front of the main temple complex.

The main temple, Senso-ji, as approached through each of the above gates, Kaminari-mon and Hozo-mon. The approach, a walk of roughly a quarter mile, is lined with shops and stalls of all types, all adding to the festive atmosphere.

In front of the main temple sits a large, bronze urn in which incense burns. A crowd is always gathered around the urn, as people wave the smoke--the breath of the Gods-- upon them for its curative powers.

Senso-ji, a Buddhist temple, includes Shinto shrines within its grounds. This is called Asakusa-jinga. Shinto is the indigenous religion of Japan, and all Japanese belong to it by default. Shinto is a naturalistic religion, with its followers believing that Gods are present in natural phenomenon. Its followers do not believe in one, all-powerful, deity or sacred scriptures. Rather, its followers must live their life according to the way of the Gods, who favor harmony and cooperation. Shinto also tolerates its worshipers following other religions, so it is ordinary for a person to follow Shinto and another religion, most often Buddhism. Shinto shrines are most readily distinguishable by the often large torii gate (seen here prominently in the foreground of this picture), marking the entry from the secular world to the spiritual world.

Yet another gate at Senso-ji, this being the oldest. Named Niten-mon, this was constructed in 1618.

Five story pagado at Senso-ji.

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