Temple near the Ginza

On Sunday we went to a flea market near the Ginza. It wasn't very good. It used to be that the Japanese just threw things away when they didn't want them. But, after some Japanese students in America saw our garage sales they realized they could do things differently. Now flea markets (yard sales) are all the rage but Japanese style: pre-arranged, in a park or parking lot, and you pay a small fee to put your tarp down and display your goods. Even older people attend now that they are hip.

Since we were nearby we went to a temple. Here is the smaller one-


As you walk to the larger one, you stop and "wash" with smoke from incense. You are supposed to direct the smoke with your hands to wash it over you. If you have a body part that is unwell, you should direct the smoke towards it and it might get better. Generally, you should only try for those above the waist!



Then you wash with water (just the hands) before you enter the temple-


The temple is famous for its large lanterns-

This is the main gate. there were lots of people there and I thought it was because it was a Sunday but on the news later that night I saw that a famous Tokyo marithon started near this temple.