Senso Ji is one of the oldest temples in Tokyo. In the Asakusa neighborhood it is surrounded by kitchy Japanese souvenier shops, as well as loads of places to play Pachinko and slots. The temple itself was crawling with people, even when we got there around closing time--5pm. Unfortunately, the main temple was under construction so we couldn't see much of it, but the surrounding gardens, pagodas and statues were nice.
When we first approached the temple, there was a lot of noise from these metal boxes that loads of people were shaking next to this wall of drawers. We stood around looking curiously for a while until a nice Japanese businessman looking to practice his English and help us out came over and explained the process to us. As he said "Many girls like to play this because girls are curious about everything" (true. true)
So, you put 100 yen in the donation slot, and shake an octagonal metal box full of long wooden sticks until you get one with a number on it. The number on the stick corresponds to a numbered drawer from which you draw your fortune. I was lucky enough to get a "normal fortune", which I was informed by our friend was a "sort of a good fortune". While some of it was in English, it didn't make much sense so he translated it for me saying that the present character for "double mountain" said that I am able to do what I like without any barriers.
Here is what is says in English: "All your requests & desire will get through and go change to the better. The double letters of "mountain" means to go out, and you can do everything in a hurry and be safe. Naturally your is so fortune, and you can meet with so many a happiness.
Everything, treasure and wealth and income will be in your hand without any trouble.
*Your request will be granted. *The patient will get well soon. *The lost article will be found. *The person you wait for will come byt late. *Building a new house or removal are both good. *to start a trip is good. *Marriage and new employment are both well. "
So, there it is. When I got home I had my Chinese friend Tina translate the characters for me, and what she said was "The farther I go, the luckier I will be" and that "I will meet someone who will help me".
So, I think this is all good news. Here is a picture of me and my happy good fortune face.
Timber unfortunately got a bad fortune, and had to tie it to a post and "leave her bad fortune behind."
As we walked around the temple grounds, our new friend told us some nice things about the temple, buddha, shinto and golden carp which are apparently very lucky to see.
Though I was really tired by this point in the trip, I found the temple and meeting our friend one of the most charming things we did. Everything seemed so imbued with meaning and a richness of culture. From shaking the fortune box to leaving your bad fortune behind--everything had a proper order and sweetness to it, that made it feel like I was taken care of by some great Japanese travel spirit. It's difficult to put into words, so I'll leave it at that.
After the temple, I insisted I go blow some money on Pachinko which I had seen in a movie once and was desperate to play. It lasted for all of about 5 minutes and fifteen dollars, and put me off gambling at least until Vegas, 2010. I don't quite understand what you're supposed to do with all the buttons (so it was probably stupid to try to play), but it's like a combination of slots and pinball. It's a good thing I don't live in Japan anyway, I'd probably spent too much trying to figure out how to work the machines.
Then it was dinner, a bit more shopping and walking back to the hostel for more sake and snacks before bedtime. It's hard to be so fabulous.
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