Senso-ji: Daikokuten (Asakusa)

– Senso-ji – 浅草寺 –
Tokyo (東京)  – July 31, 2018

The Asakusa area has a lot of iconic Japanese things in one area. The striking Kaminari-mon (Thunder Gate) with its huge paper lantern, a 200 meter shopping street where you can buy souvenirs and more, and a good view of the nearby Tokyo Skytree. Then, at the end of the walk, the oldest temple in Tokyo: Senso-ji.

History

According to the homepage, in 628, about 1000 years before Tokyo became the capitol, two brothers were fishing in the Sumida River. When they hauled in their net to check their catch, they were surprised to find not fish, but a statue. They tossed it back, but it kept reappearing. Finally, they presented it to their the headman of their village of Asakusa. he realized that it was a statue of the Bodhisattva, known as Kannon in Japanese. He converted his home into a temple and devoted the rest of his life to Buddhism.

Where to receive a goshuin

Actually, there are two goshuin. The one on this page is for Daikokuten, one of the seven lucky gods, and another one is for the Kannon.

After you leave Asakusa Station through either Exit 1 or 2 and walk a little further east, you’ll easily spot Kaminarimon, the gate with the big paper lantern.

Pass through there to find the 200 meter shopping streat, Nakamise, that leads up to the Main Hall (Kannondo). Feel free to take your time and shop here. You can find a range of souvenirs, including yukata, kimono, kimono accessories, T-shirts, snacks, and many other souvenirs. You can also get some good shots of Tokyo Skytree from here.

Make sure you save a few hundred yen because at the end of the shopping street stands Hozo-mon and the five-storied pagoda. Straight ahead is the Main Hall. The statue of Kannon that the fishermen found is said to still be housed here. In this area you can buy various temple-related items such as omamori and ofuda, but if you’d like to receive a goshuin, you’re not at the right place yet. You can receive both goshuin at the Yogo-do just to the left and behind the Main Hall.

You can receive both goshuin at the Yogo-do just to the left and behind the Main Hall. The Japanese homepage has photos of the two goshuin and all the goshincho selection available here.

The goshuin location is here:

English homepage: http://www.senso-ji.jp/english/

Japanese homepage: http://www.senso-ji.jp/

Location