A Walk around Asakusa / 浅草の散歩

Any tourist who comes to visit Tokyo, Asakusa is a must see. Pictured above is the kaminari-mon which translates to the "Lightning Gate" and is also the main gateway to Sensoji Temple. From the gate to the temple is a shopping lane called Nakamise Street. Along both sides of the lane are souvenir shops, snack stands, toy stores, and just a variety of other items which in turn makes your walk to the temple seem like its off in the far distance. We were taken in my the rice cracker and dango shop and amused by the government figure snacks featuring former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and current Prime Minister Taro Aso.

観光客が東京に来ると、浅草は外せない名所でしょう。上記にあるのは浅草寺の入口にある雷門。雷門から浅草寺までたどり着くのは、仲見世通りを歩く。そこにいろんな店があって、お土産屋からおもちゃや、着物屋、日本刀の店、食べ物の屋台、等。浅草寺まで着くのは結構時間かかります。私たちの気をとられたのはせんべいと団子の店。僕はにんにく味のおせんべいを食べて、美香子はぬれおかき。あと、面白いと思ったのは政治家のまんじゅう。元首相の小泉純一郎と現在の総理大臣の麻生太郎のまんじゅうがあった。







Mikako was watching the news the other day and there was the piece on Asakusa about Edo-mura (a replica of Edo, the former name of Tokyo). When we reached Sensoji Temple, there was also a sign saying that a particular item was on view and this was the last day to see it. What made it special was that the item is only shown to the public once every fifty years. Of course we had to go check it out (and say a few prayers as well).

美香子が前の日にニュースを見てたら、浅草で江戸村を再現してる場所が紹介されて、それを見に行く事にした。浅草寺に着いたら、なんとその日に５０年に一回しか開帳されないものがあって、最終日とゆう事もあって、何か運が良かったと思う。もちろんお参りしましたよ。

The post that everybody is lined up for is connected to the item on display inside the temple. That's Sensoji Temple in the background.

その紐を持ってお祈りをするんですが、その紐は上のほうからあの５０年に一回開帳されるやつに繋がっています。バックはもちろん浅草寺です。

Most temple grounds feature a number of other buildings as well. One popular architecutural style is the five-storied pagoda.　There are also other statues that aren't heavily featured in the guidebooks such as the "Nade Botoke". If you are suffering some kind of pain on a part of your body, you rub the same part of the statue's body to help relieve your suffering.

いろんなお寺にメイン以外の建物もあります。結構見かけるのは五重塔。他にガイドブックにあなまり紹介されてないものもある、例えば、下記で撮った「なでぼどけ」

Another view of Sensoji Temple.

浅草寺

The Edo-mura replica weren't as lavish as I expected. There were maybe one or two very small displays which I found disappointing. You're better off going to the Edo-Tokyo Museum in Ryogoku.

再現した江戸村は凄く小さかったので、ちょっとガッカリ。素敵に再現した江戸を見たいなら両国にある江戸東京博物館に行ったほうをすすめします。

And I just had to try some soft-shelled turtle soup.　It was quite delicious.

で、すっぽんのスープを初めて飲んでみました。美味しかったです。

It was 500yen (almost $5.00) for this small amount of soft-shelled turtle soup. Mikako was put off by knowing that it was made from turtle but one sip and she decided she would have her own cup as well.

すっぽんスープはこの量で５００円でした。美香子は最初、すっぽんだからいらないと言ってましたが、一口を飲んでみたら、自分のも買うことにした。

And what would be a walk in Asakusa without something very traditionally Japanese?

浅草散歩に日本的な物を拝見しました。

Giving my little explanation of the post being linked to the item featured inside Sensoji Temple.






And my blog wouldn't be complete without a few blurbs on what we ate. Mikako ordered the clam skewer while I had a shish kebob.

僕のブログに食べ物のネタがないとちょっと不思議と思うでしょう。大丈夫、ちゃんとそうゆうネタも用意してます。動画を見ると、美香子ハマグリの串を買って、僕はカルビのほう（肉派ですから）。

As it was nearing dinner time as well, Mikako and I decided to split a beer and eat some oden.

夕飯の時間にもなって、美香子と一本のビールを飲みながら、おでんも食べました。

It was also getting dark, so I took a couple of pictures of the building as they were lighted up.

だんだん暗くなって、またライトアップされたビルの写真も撮りました。

Before leaving Asakusa, I found a couple other things that caught my camera's eyes.

浅草を去る前に、また気になったものを発見し、つい写真を撮りました。

But before heading home, we stopped of in Akasaka where a friend of mine runs a rock bar and noticed that the area was getting ready for Christmas.

家に帰る前に赤坂で友達がやってるバーに行きました。赤坂のクリスマスイルミネーションがありました。

Until next time.

またね！