Shinobazunoike Benten-do — Attraction in Tokyo

I enjoyed walking around the Shinto Temple of "Shinobazunoike Benten-do" located in the middle of the pond where visitors went to write Chinese and Japanese pictographs on ancient scrolls and papers until they hung them around the racks as a symbol dedicated to the goddess, Benzaiten at the Benten Island. According to the inscription written on the stone at Benten Island, the area between the Ueno and Hongo Plateau used to be called Shinobugaoka, and the pond just took its name from it. One type of alternative theory claims the name from the habit of young men and women while the other one claims its early name known as "Shinowazu" due to the presence of the bamboo grass. They also set up food stalls selling grilled squid and snow crab sticks. I never tried one of the sticks that tasted like the mixture of crab meat and mochi, but those on both sides of the...

Originally the Bentendo Temple was part of the larger Kaneiji Temple complex which once covered the entire area now occupied by Ueno Park. Kaneiji Temple was built in 1625 by the Buddhist monk Tenkai. He modelled Kaneiji Temple after Enryakuji, a major Buddhist temple located on Mount Hiei near Kyoto. Some years later Tenkai had an island constructed in the middle of Shinobazu Pond. Tenkai built the Bentendo Temple on the island and enshrined a statue of the goddess Benzaiten there. The island, called Bentenjima, was designed to imitate the island of Chikubushima which stands in Lake Biwa on the eastern side of Mount Hiei. The Bentendo was also built as a copy of a temple on...

To those visiting Benten-do: I'm a Benzaiten believer. Hello. This is a temple. This is where Benzaiten resides. She's the goddess of good fortune. Please show your respect to Benzaiten.

Just across the bridge, you'll see a dragon spouting water from its mouth. This is the "chozuya" (water purification fountain). Believers purify their hands before praying. You can take photos here. However, please leave quickly. Prolonged photo sessions are a nuisance. Please do not pollute this place or waste water. If you pollute it or waste water, you will lose your good fortune. Because Benzaiten is the goddess who protects water. Do you understand the difference between purifying and washing? Purify your palms. It's wrong to wash your arms, legs, or head. Never wash. It will take away your happiness. And the water is not drinkable. It's not your fault if you get diarrhea.

Please take off your shoes. Please greet Benzaiten. Pray for your own happiness and world peace. Do you know the meaning of goshuin (temple seals)? Those who do not respect Benzaiten Even if you receive a goshuin, The goddess will not bestow good fortune Those who love Benzaiten You will be blessed with good fortune I also pray for your happiness

This is a temple Not an amusement park Not a cafe A place to read sutras A place to pray Please be quiet Do not take photos of believers Even if you don't speak the language, It's easy to tell whether you're rude or kind Even if you say bad things in your own language, You'll know

Wouldn't it be awful if a chatty Japanese person came to your church mass Eating a hamburger and taking commemorative photos?

Thanks for reading Have a nice trip

If you don't understand what I'm saying I don't recommend coming here I recommend going to...