Tokyo’s phenomenal monuments

On a rainy day, we decided to visit the skytree, but when we get out of the subway station, the storm is there. We run to take refuge in the shopping center at the foot of the tower.

This shopping center is a huge hall crowded with people. We go up to the skytree by the different staircases available. Arrived at the 5th floor we find a platform which, in normal time becomes a gigantic rooftop bar. For the time, it was deserted and soaked.

We enter the tower proper. I am hesitant about visiting the tower, in this weather we can’t see 3m in front of us.

The skytree is the new phenomenon of Tokyo, opened in 2012, it is not far from 634 m high. What is still amazing in a country shaken daily.
It is also the 2nd highest tower in the world. The first one is in Dubai and the third is in Shanghai.
Its main purpose is to be a digital terrestrial broadcasting antenna.

The prices are relatively correct, but not for a rainy day. The equivalent of 20 euros for the second floor at 350m and 35 euros for the access of the 2 floors, the second being at 450m.

Finally, we decide to come back another day and we go to the most famous temple of Tokyo.

Senso ji in Asakusa, this temple is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Tokyo, built in honor of the goddess Bodhisattva of compassion Kannon, the one who hears the cries of the world. Today, it is one of the most famous attractions, dominating with its flamboyant red color, with a popular and commercial atmosphere.

It is said that in 628, during the reign of Empress SUIKO, two brothers fishing on the Sumida river found in their nets a statue of the goddess Kannon. This news reached the ears of the lord of the village. He made a speech about boddisatva and buddha which convinced the brothers to convert. The construction of the temple was completed in 645, bringing prosperity to the whole neighborhood. A thousand years later, to pay homage to the three men, as well as to consecrate their lives to the deity, a shrine was dedicated to them.

The gloomy weather being prolonged and the hunger having won us, we settle down on the floor of a restaurant of udon in order to taste a hot dish whereas we are soaked from head to foot.

After having eaten, we head towards the temple and passing by the big street crowded with people despite the weather.

A majestic gate leads to the entrance of the domain. This complex is composed of a five-story pagoda and 7 temples.

During this walk, the rain starts again of more beautiful, we leave from there to go towards a store of 6 floors to make our races while waiting that the rain calms down.

A little later in the evening we go back to Harajuku, to find an old school manga store of several floors.

Ninve,