Seeking Kaminarimon

Since I was in Asakusa, I decided to get a few more photos for that map. Like the time when I was here before, there were rickshaw. It was good to see there were a lot more female drivers now. 

I believe this reads as "Thunder Gate East Section (or Side)". Which is where I wanted to be. Just thought I would show the misters being used to try to cool things down.

And there is the Thunder Gate. Kaminarimon. And a lot of tourists.

The outer gate of Senso-ji Temple was the reason I came here. Originally commissioned around the year 942. It has been rebuilt a number of times because of the many fires that have happened in Tokyo. This current gate was built in 1960. 

As for my current day visit it's because some of the most popular photos of Kami were taken here.

Plus the fact that Kaminarimon is very impressive. The Nio statues guard the temple grounds. This is the god of thunder, Raijin.

And this is the god of wind, Fujin. The gate is 11.7 meters high, so the Nio statues are not small.

The 3.9 meter high chochin (lantern) hangs in the middle. It reads "Thunder Gate".

The underneath wood dragon carving is of another protector of the temple. Definitely look for it if you ever go here.

The back of the gate holds two more statues. They represent dragon gods. This is Tenryu, the heavenly dragon. They were enshrined here in 1978.

This is Kinryu, the golden dragon. The reason for dragons, besides protecting the area, comes from the story of how Kannon Bosatsu became enshrined here. It's a story that is similar to other shrines. Two fishermen were out fishing when a statue became caught in their nets. It was of the Kannon. At that time, a golden dragon appeared in the water. Thus the golden dragon is believed to be the protector of Senso-ji, and the reason for it's full name, Kinryu-zan Senso-ji. Kinryu is golden dragon.

Looking at the back of the chochin. 

And speaking of tourists...

It's the very popular Nakamise Shopping Street. What I didn't notice at the time are the little komainu roof tiles at the roof peaks. Senso-ji is very well protected.

Since I had been to Senso-ji before, and it was extremely crowded, I went to my right instead of staying on Nakamise. Jumbo melon pan anyone?

Along with very fresh fruit.

Which was really delicious.

I headed back to the station through covered shopping streets. I did stop to appreciate this morning glory. That and the fruit were a nice way to end this day.