🌸 Asakusa Temple, Tokyo | Travel Guide 🌸

Asakusa Temple dates back to 628 AD. At that time, a pair of brothers fishing accidentally discovered a statue of Guanyin, and the devout believed it to be a manifestation of the Bodhisattva, leading to the construction of a temple to enshrine the statue. Thus, Asakusa Temple is a truly Buddhist temple. Due to its long history and the favor of the Tokugawa Shogunate, it has become one of Tokyo's most important temples, attracting over thirty million visitors each year for worship. The Wind and Thunder God Gate is a symbol of Asakusa Temple, and Asakusa is a grand stage for the lives of the common people. The Thunder Gate, built in 942 AD to pray for world peace and a bountiful harvest, is a famous sight in Asakusa. A large red lantern weighing 670 kilograms hangs in the center of the gate, inscribed with the four characters "Wind and Thunder God Gate," which is very eye-catching. It was donated by the industrialist Matsushita Konosuke as a token of gratitude after his recovery from illness following a prayer at Asakusa Kannon. The Treasure Gate immediately catches the eye with the huge straw sandals hanging on both sides. It is said that they were offered to Asakusa Temple by a folk group from Murayama City, Yamagata Prefecture, symbolizing the expulsion of evil spirits. The Five-Story Pagoda is the only one of its kind in Tokyo, and its top level houses the relics of Shakyamuni Buddha, making it the most important structure in Asakusa Temple. It complements the main complex, which is dominated by a bright red color, and its design is stable and dignified, a typical仿Tang-style wooden religious architecture. The main hall, also known as the Kannon Hall because it houses the main statue of Guanyin, has a distinctive architectural feature. From a distance, it resembles an official's hat. To highlight its majestic appearance, the slope of the roof was deliberately increased when laying the tiles, which indeed had a significant effect, but for safety reasons, titanium tiles had to be used. Travel Tips: Don't go to Asakusa during the day! Come at night! Asakusa Temple, one of the top three tourist attractions in Tokyo, is a must-visit, especially for first-time visitors to Tokyo. However, after actually visiting, you might find it to be just a "temple with a crowd + a collection of small commodities from Yiwu." The correct way to experience Asakusa is at night! The later, the better! The travel highlights of the Asakusa area are probably "getting a fortune at Asakusa Temple + taking a photo of the Skytree + the nearby shopping street." If you come during the day, you'll have to walk slowly with the crowd, and you'll definitely have to wait in line for meals, which is "tiring and a waste of time." There's no need to queue up to go up the Skytree; there are better places to enjoy a panoramic view. But at night, the area transforms. After 9 or 10 PM, the number of people significantly decreases, and since there's no admission fee for the scenic area, you can enter at any time, 24/7. Asakusa Temple at night gains a sense of mystery, with the lights on both sides acting as your personal spotlight. After taking photos, you can take a walk along the Sumida River nearby, where the Skytree changes colors every night. A leisurely evening is all it takes to enjoy the charm of Asakusa. #JapanTravelGuide #Japan #JapaneseVisa #JapanShopping #Travel #Temple #NightView #MostBeautifulNightView #JapanTouristVisa #JapanTravelTips #JapanOffTheBeatenPathTravel