Today was another fun filled day! We started at a shrine for healthy babies. Women go there before and during their pregnancy asking the gods for a healthy baby. Once the baby is born, the family returns to the shrine. At that time, they thank the gods for their healthy child.
In front of the shrine. The sign says to bow twice, clap twice, bow once again and ring the bell.
After we headed to the Sensoji Temple and Asakusa Nakamise Shopping area. The shopping area started back in 1688 when the neighbors of the shrine were given special rights to open their shops in the approach to the temple. This was done to service visitors to the shrine. Today was the start of a 3 day festival and I kid you not, it was like a Japanese Big E. I LOVED IT!
This is the approach to the shrine. You can barely see it at the end.
The shops sold everything! Even little Japanese outfits for your dogs! Don’t worry Inu didn’t get one!
The entrance to the shrine.
Cleansing myself before entering the shrine.
The shrine itself!
Just like the Big E, there were many games and TONS of food stands. This game you have to try to scoop out fish, turtles or live shrimp with a thin piece of rice paper. The tiniest bit of water and the rice paper will rip.
Here’s Ichiro enjoying his cucumber on a stick. Don’t see that at the Big E!