Asakusa

Walking across to the temple grounds from Asakusa Station you first see Kaminari-mon Gate, hemmed in by modern buildings; it's scale can be deceptive until you're standing under the 10 foot paper lantern hung in the center.

Beyond it is the Nakamise-dori, a street lined with smaller shops, with everything from confections and toys through to clothing and religious objects.

Beyond Nakamise-dori is the Hozomon Gate and then the main shrine and the temple gardens.

This view is in the courtyard in front of the main shrine looking back to Hozomon Gate. The huge incense burner created clouds of smoke, and was constantly surrounded by people directing smoke at areas of their bodies they wished improved (the most common seeming to be a head pat, for what I'm guessing is increased intelligence). The pungency was present 30 to 50 feet downwind this day.

The West Tip of the main building's roof, see from just inside Hozomon Gate.

The first few levels of the 5-story pagoda beside the main building, looming over some of the shops crowded into the courtyard.

The side entrance of the main building.

Near the side entrance is a delightful waterfall that drops to be a small river filled with Koi. The river passes under an ancient arched footbridge.

Other sights around the temple...

And finally, on the way out and heading home...

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