I visited Senso-ji Temple, Kanda Myojin, and Meiji Shrine in Tokyo. At first, I wasn’t sure about the difference between temples (otera) and shrines (jinja) in Japan. When I asked a Japanese friend, she explained that Buddhist places are called temples, while Shinto places are called shrines. Temples may have graves and are often associated with praying for ancestors, while shrines are dedicated to kami, the spirits or deities of Shinto belief. Each temple and shrine has its own history, background, and customs.
In Japan, you usually enter temples and shrines with your shoes on, though in some cases, especially when entering indoor halls, you may be asked to remove them. I heard different opinions about this, depending on the place.
In India, however, removing shoes before entering any religious place is a strict rule. That’s why out of habit, I felt a bit uncomfortable the first time I entered Senso-ji with my shoes on.
During my visit to Asakusa, I went to Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple. The bright red lanterns made the temple look very beautiful. Since it’s a famous tourist attraction, the area was crowded, and I saw many visitors wearing kimono. I learned about the temple’s history, the local market along Nakamise Street, and the surrounding culture. Senso-ji is dedicated to Kannon, often known as the Goddess of Mercy.
I was shown the place where visitors throw coins and pray. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any coins that day, so I simply prayed quietly. At the temple, I also drew an omikuji (fortune slip). I pulled Omikuji No. 61 “半吉 (Han-kichi) → half-blessing.”
While reading my fortune slip, my first reaction was, “What kind of English is this?” It didn’t make any sense to me. The English translation was not done very well. Later, after returning to India, I carefully studied the original Japanese text and understood its real meaning. I learned that if the fortune isn’t very good, people often tie the slip at the temple to leave the bad luck behind, though this is optional. You can also keep it as guidance in your wallet or at home.
The next shrine, Kanda Myojin , is a Shinto shrine known for blessings related to business success, academics, and protection. It is especially popular among office workers. Inside, there was a mikoshi, a portable shrine used during Japanese festivals to carry a diety through the streets.
Another shrine we visited was, Meiji Shrine. It was a very peaceful experience. Located inside a man-made forest with over 100,000 trees, it felt completely distant from the busy city of Tokyo. The shrine is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken, and it is known as a place for peace, harmony, and new beginnings. The air felt fresher because of the trees. Before entering the main shrine area, we purified our hands and mouth at the water pavilion (temizuya). I was taught the proper way to pray: throw a coin, bow twice, clap twice, pray, and bow once. Many foreign visitors were unsure what to do and simply watched, but I felt fortunate to be guided through the ritual and introduced to the culture.
I wanted to buy omamori (good-luck charms, amulets) for my family and myself and was surprised by how many different types there were. Omamori are protective amulets meant to bring good luck or protection. They are traditionally not opened, as the blessing is believed to be inside.
I learned that these charms are usually returned to the same shrine after about a year, where they are burned respectfully (otakiage), and new ones are bought instead. It shows respect rather than treating them as ordinary objects.
Wanting everyone to receive blessings and good luck, I ended up buying six-omamori. I gave them to my family and a friend and shared what I had learned about them. They are keeping them with care and respect.
The next article is about souvenir shopping — read it here.