11 Jan 2020
Today, I embarked on my first solo international trip. I’ve done quite a bit of traveling in groups, and domestically on my own, but this trip would take me, alone, to the other side of the world.
It probably shouldn’t have come as a surprise, but when my plane left MSP and turned north, I realized we wouldn’t just be flying straight across the US and then the Pacific Ocean, but would instead be going up and over through Canada, Alaska, Russia and eventually into Japan. I’m pretty sure that’s Russia down there:
The flight itself was about 12 and a half hours long, and it would be mid-afternoon when I landed in Tokyo, so my plan was to stay up for as long as possible and crash on my 2nd flight, which was an overnight to Jakarta. Fortunately, there were a lot of new movies to watch and international flights feed you well 🙂
Since I had an 8 hour layover, I decided to leave the airport and explore Tokyo. I wanted to see some traditional Japanese architecture, and Asakusa, which was just off the metro and didn’t require any train changes, seemed like just the place! Haneda Airport has a wonderful tourist information center where an English-speaking Japanese woman gave me a map and talked me through using the Metro system.
A half-hour or so later, and I found myself in what felt like the heart of Tokyo. Sitting among modern buildings is Kaminarimon Gate, the outer gate. Like most of the structures at this temple, it has been burned down and rebuilt many times.
This giant red chōchin, a traditional Japanese lantern, was a popular photo-op spot. The characters on the front (雷門) are the gate’s name, Kaminarimon.
Just through the gate is Nakamise-dori, a shopping street lined with stalls selling traditional souvenirs and snacks, on the way to Sensō-ji temple.
But the sun was already getting low, and I wanted to see the temple before daylight ran out, so I didn’t browse too long at any of the stalls. At the end of the 250m Nakamise-dori is Hōzōmon gate:
Another chōchin, this one with the name of a town, Kobunachō (小舟町), on it to commemorate a large donation made by its people.
On each side of the chōchin is a copper tōrō, weighing in at about 1000kg each!
And on the back of the gate, two giant Waraji sandals:
Passing through the gate brings you to Hondo, the main hall of Sensō-ji temple:
Low-light photography is not my little camera’s forte, but look at the intricate detailing!
Another chōchin
Quickly losing light, but still a beautiful sight!
To the right is Asakusa shrine:
There was a concert going on in the courtyard:
And to the left of the main hall, gojunoto, a five-story pagoda:
Fun fact: this pagoda was originally to the right of the main temple, but during one of the rebuilds, was moved to the left. It is the 2nd tallest gojunoto in Japan.
One of a pair of Komainu (lion-dog) stands guard outside the five-story pagoda.
Also to the left was a small park:
(I really wish I could find a copy of this map in English):
A babbling brook:
Proof I was here 🙂
Koi fish (swimming under a bridge built in the 1600, which I apparently didn’t take a picture of)
There were many of these engraved stones standing throughout the park:
I found several of these tiny shrines located throughout the garden. Extensive Googling of the characters on that sign (九頭龍権現) tells me this one is for Kuzuryū Gongen, a nine-headed dragon.
Once the sun set, I headed back to the airport to wait for my next flight.