成田 ✈️🙏🗾

Narita

International Airport meets Edo Period Japan.

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Narita is a city on the eastern outskirts of Tokyo, Japan. It's home to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport. In Narita's center is the centuries-old Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, a Buddhist complex with gilded pagodas and tranquil gardens. Running between Narita train station and the temple is Omotesando, a narrow street lined with colorful shops and restaurants in the style of Japan's Edo period.

SOURCE: Google

A photo from our New Year’s visit to Shinshō-ji, or “New Victory Temple,” in Narita, Chiba, Japan.

A taste of Edo and New Year’s prayers on a beautiful day.

After returning from our holiday in America, my family and I were glad to get back to Japan. We savored some smoky, heavily dashi-based miso soup and rice for breakfast, and then took to the streets to check out the historic sites in Narita. Omotesando, the street leading to be Buddhist temple called Shinshō-ji, is packed with Edo-era style shops selling various wares and culinary delights.

The temple, dedicated to the god fudō myōō, “Unmovable Wisdom King,” was busy, as many were heading there to say their prayers for the new year, bathe in the smoke of the incense, and just enjoy the beautiful, clear blue sky and sunshine.

I hope you’ll enjoy the following photos and video from our visit!

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Various wares and good luck charms for sale at the temple.

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Pilgrims ascending the stairs to the main hall.

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The gigantic red and black lantern—a donation from believers at Tokyo’s famous Tsukiji fish market—impressively greets visitors at the main gate.

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The sanjū-no-tō, three-storied pagoda, on the temple grounds.

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Various pickled goods and other foods for sale on and around the historic temple grounds.

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Finally, please enjoy this short video I made highlighting our visit!

We had a great time, and I highly recommend a visit!

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(Thanks for stopping by! If you missed the last installment of Japan Photo Blog, Vol. 74: “Delicious American Microbrews!” you can find it HERE.

~KafkA

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Graham Smith is a Voluntaryist activist, creator, and peaceful parent residing in Niigata City, Japan. Graham runs the "Voluntary Japan" online initiative with a presence here on Steem, as well as Facebook and Twitter. (Hit me up so I can stop talking about myself in the third person!)