Sensoji Temple was built in the year 628. It represented to both Shinto and Buddhist worship. Although crowded, worshippers made their way to the main alter with their intentions known. They knelt before a huge statue of Buddha in a low lit hall with light provided by a few lanterns hanging on the ceiling. However, the golden face of the Buddha was glistening. Pilgrims and tourist alike paid their respects. With their hands clasped and head bowed down, they moved slowly in a clockwise direction. Incense was lit. The smell permeated throughout the hall in the still air. At a corner, people tossed a box containing rolled paper until one piece popped out. Apparently their fortune is written on this piece of paper. They did this religiously too. I was amused. Driven by faith, anything can be believed.

“the smell of incense got stronger as we approached the main hall” – Navindd

In one area, donations counters were set up. With a small contribution, one could buy a roof tile with drawings and writings of their choice. This will go towards replacing existing tiles or for a new building -a novel way to contribute. At a shed near the entrance to the hall, water flowed out of a brass dragon’s mouth. This is a ritual for purification and a set of pictorial sketches showed the correct method. Pilgrims gathered here and washed their head and mouth. A five storied pagoda rose tall adjacent to the hall. A small manicured garden provided some greenery and relief from the strong sun.

At the perimeter of the temple compound, three young women dressed in traditional kimono added very nostalgic scenery. A man was busy under the heat of the day and from the hot plate where he was cooking up a local thick pancake-like dish called “okonomiyaki”. Expectedly, a long queue appeared at an ice cream parlor.

From here we walked to another shopping area called Kappabashi. The locals shop here for household items. The weather was quite uncomfortable and we were getting hungry as well. It was late in the afternoon. Shopping had to be put off for the moment.

We walked along a narrow street and entered into a restaurant with raised wooden floor. This restaurant’s specialty is “okonomiyaki” dishes. Seated on the floor with a hot plate in front of us, the ingredients were placed on the table. Mixed vegetables with some meat and mixed into a batter. The host showed us how it was done. I ended up doing the other. Navindd helped to turn over the flat bread like dish like a pro. Sweat poured out while dining as the heat from the hot plates radiated through the small room. The dish was alright but we felt heavy in our belly afterwards. The heat from the sun was unrelenting.