Gonzo Travels

Off the cuff writing about the travels of a guy who people expect to be married, have kids, work the 9-5 and do all the other status quo nonsense.

Sensō-ji

Japan Day 2: Asakusa, Tokyo

After limited sleep I packed up this morning, grabbed an apple juice (¥500) and black coffee (¥650) at my hostel bar, then headed out. Needing to get to Asakusa, I got onto the Den-en-toshi Line at Ikerjiri-ohashi station, changed at Shibuya to the Hanzomon Line for one stop, then 16 stops on the Ginza Line to Tawaramachi Station. All really easy as the signs and announcements are in English as well as Japanese.

I’m now at the Wasabi Asakusa Hostel for two nights (¥9,375 total). Another neat and tidy place, my check-in time was 3pm today so I left a bag and headed out for a wander, first stopping at around noon for some excellent grilled pork ramen (¥1080) at a little place where old guys sat and ate while keeping an eye on the horse racing. Seemed like an authentic place to me so in I went.

Following my fill of food, I stumbled into the Sensō-ji temple area where I took the opportunity to shoot a few photos. Sensō-ji is the oldest temple in Tokyo, being completed in 645! At this time of year, it’s really busy, but as a photographer that helped make interesting shots of people wafting themselves in the incense smoke, symbolically cleansing the body.

Sensō-ji ritual
Sensō-ji ritual

Just down from the temple are lots of stores kimono hires, and even more covered malls with more nice stuff to buy. I’ll probably head back this way at the end of my venture for gifts. I did manage to pick up an extra jacket in my beloved Uniqlo, but that’s an extra layer to fend off the cold when I head north. The temperature in the day is just right for me, sunny with a slight chill, but into the afternoon and nightime it can bite a little.

I picked up some loose green tea (¥572) from a Lawson store, hopefully this will last the trip, but my current hostel as nice as it is, doesn’t have any cups in the communal room, just a kettle. Another purchase I may have to make!

Need to keep my eyes open for a little longer, then hope I get some good sleep. I’ve just spoken to a Finnish guy who’s been here for two weeks, couldn’t sleep off the jetlag and has resorted to sleeping pills!