Exploring the old town of Asakusa

Asakusa is one of the first precincts I saw in Tokyo, when I first visited Japan about 20 years ago. I think I originally went there on the recommendation of my highschool Japanese teacher. In any case, I've been there a few times now, and it always feels like a very familiar part of Tokyo when I see it.

It's got a lovely old-town, traditional feel to it, and is home to a number of historic Buddhist temples. The Asakusa Kannon Temple, or Sensoji, is perhaps the most well known (and photographed), and I was pleased to see that nothing had really changed when I visited earlier this week.

According to a local fact sheet, Sensoji Temple is Japan's oldest Buddhist Temple "for ordinary people". Inside the complex there are permanent stalls, which sell handmade sweets, rice crackers and other local delicacies, and all sorts of traditional Japanese souvenirs and gifts.

The grounds of Sensouji Temple (HDR'd)

Worshippers flock into Senoji Temple, Japan's oldest public Buddhist Temple

One of the things you can do in the complex, is have your fortune "told", for a mere 100 Yen (or AUD$1.20). When in Japan, do as the Japanese do, right??

So, there is a tin, which you are instructed to "shake politely". A long skewer with a number (written at one end in Japanese symbols) falls through the hole. You match the number on the skewer to the corresponding box on the wall (there are probably 100 or so boxes), slide the box open, and take one sheet of pre-printed paper - this is your fortune. The fortunes are graded from "Excellent Good Fortune", to "Regular", to what we gathered was "It's all Turning to Shite Fortune". Mum and I chose the first two, respectively, and were quite happy to leave it at that.

After you've read your fortune, you tie it to one of the nearby metal bars. Not sure of the significance of leaving it there, but we did as everyone else (locals and tourists alike) was doing, had a giggle and headed off to look for lunch.

You too can have your fortune read at the Temple

Pick a trinket, any trinket! Stalls in the Sensoji Temple complex

One of the biggest camera shops in the world...

 It's now just two weeks before I fly out to Tokyo, and I've been researching things to see and do during my week there.

Of course, I began researching camera equipment and have been trying to get a feel for whether gear in Japan is cheaper than in Australia. Virtually all travel guides, blog posts and news articles reference Shinjuku as the photography equipment hub in Tokyo, and Akibahara as the electronics centre. And then I started to read about retail juggernaut, Yodobashi - which has mega stores in both Shinjuku and Akibahara, and a total of 21 stores throughout Japan. My credit card is twinging nervously at the thought...

There doesn't seem to be an English version of the Yodobashi site, but by all accounts, these are two of the largest camera shops in the world. I came across a Flickr feed of photos taken in the Yodabashi mega stores and reckon it's going to be about as close to camera heaven as I'm ever going to come. That said, I've heard the B&H store in New York is pretty impressive!


Frommers reports that the original Yodobashi store in Shinjuku stocks over 30,000 products and reputedly sells between 500-600 cameras daily. That's a whole lot of shootin' gong on! Apparently the newer Akibahara store is even bigger - and both are open from 9.30am to 10pm everyday. Imagine being able to pop out and buy your next L-series lens at 9.30pm one Tuesday evening. Drool!

The various reports I've read suggest that camera gear is generally not going to be cheaper in Japan - but that it's worth a haggle. You can bet I'm not going to die wondering!

14 sleeps to go, and counting!

Friday's Fantasy: Ginza Crossing

Ginza Crossing, originally uploaded by /\ltus.

It's only about 7 weeks until I fly out to Tokyo with Mum - can't wait! I found this photo on Flickr, of Ginza, the mad shopping district of Tokyo. I'm hoping to get some pics just like this when I'm there - if Mum, a non-photographer, will put up with the boredom of long exposures :)

Have an awesome weekend!