Praying--- Shrines & Temples

What kind of ‘must-do’ that we have in Japan? Eating raw fish? Flowers Viewing? No no no no no. It is praying!

There are so many temples and shrines in Japan as the people often go to pray. The first temple I got to visit was Zojoji Temple, which was just a short walk down from Tokyo Tower. Well, believe me, the two buildings in one scene was beyond-gorgeous. The temple was big and it has a store selling souvenirs and praying papers. My Dad got one and he tied the paper near a wooden board, where people do the same thing there.

I went to Asakusa where the Kanimori Mon Temple was located. At the outside, it was terribly crowded with the murmuring people. Everyone was talking in some kinda language that I didn’t get to understand. I mean, I knew that they were speaking Japanese but I did not understand at all as they were all talking in a lightning speed. In the great hall, people were kneeling down and praying. Some were throwing coins into the wishing well after saying their wishes while some were taking pictures of the statues of their gods behind the glass.

Out of the sacred place, there were all kinds of stalls set up to sell various kinds of souvenirs such Hachimakis, scarves and so on. The street was so busy that I had to keep my body moving as to avoid bumping into other people.

In Harajuku, there was a shrine too. It was ‘hidden’ in the middle of a forest. Well…. It was actually a palace, which owned vast areas of trees and all kinds of plants. The walking paths were made out stones and it directed us to the shrine, where people prayed for happiness, blessing and more. The place wasn’t creepy at all; it made me feel holy as I could almost feel the magical power rose from the Earth. And it was nearly crowded too. There were so many people but fortunately, the roads were wide enough.

The sunlight could barely shine in as it was blocked by the complicated branches of the trees. It felt so much like a holy ground where the evils couldn’t step in at all. I felt so safe here.

By,
Euan Thum.

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