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Location:
Hana Matsuri at Sensoji Temple takes place on April 8 around 10:00 every year. It has several names, such as Buddha’s Birthday, Hana Matsuri, Flower Festival, Bussho-e or Kanbutsu-e, etc.
Sensoji Temple is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Tokyo, located in Asakusa, Taito City. It was founded on March 18, 628.
The temple is only 5 minutes walk from Asakusa Station.
Time: 10:00-15:00
Date: April 8
Background:
The formal word of the event in Japanese is Bussho-e or Kanbutsu-e. It is actually Buddha’s birthday.
Nine dragons came down from the heavens during Buddha’s birth, according to history, and covered him with nectar so that the newborn Buddha achieved immortality.
Besides, Buddha’s mother, Maya, dreamed the day she conceived that her baby came with a giant white elephant chariot. Therefore, she believed her son would be kind and famous.
Program:
During the Hana Matsuri at Sensoji Temple, a new beautiful tapestry is placed between the main altar and Hozomon Gate.
It is a different altar from the usual altar kept in front of the Main Hall.
The alter looks like a white elephant chariot with a Buddha statue on the top of the chariot.
On April 8, around 10:00, a parade takes place from the Main Hall to Kamaminarimon. Kindergarten children join in the parade and pull the chariot.
Besides, women usually join wearing Japanese traditional dress kimono.
The parade comes back and places the chariot in front of the main hall so that visitors can see and pray.
People lay flowers in front of and pour Amacha(sweet hydrangea tea) over the Buddha statue.
However, pouring Hydrangea Tea over Buddha’s statue symbolizes pouring the Nectar of Immortality by nine dragons on newborn Buddha.
One of the Buddha statues is also kept in front of the Five-Stoy Pagoda. So visitors also can pour Amacha on it, and the statue is one hand up.
A hand-up statue symbolizes newborn Buddha’s myth.
According to history, the newborn baby stood, put a hand up, took seven steps, faced the four directions, and said he was foremost, and it was his last birth.
Hana Matsuri at Sensoji Temple is not significant as Hatsumode, but it is one of the best festivals.
After 10:00, devotees line up to offer flowers to the Buddha statue and fill it with beautiful flowers. Besides, they pour Amacha onto the figure.
Cherry trees on the premises bloom during the Hana Matsuri. So, the atmosphere of the temple becomes more enjoyable than usual.
It is worth mentioning that Hana Matsuri in Nishiarai Daishi, the biggest temple in Adachi Ward, is also on the same day.
Access:
Station: Asakusa Station
1)Tokyo Metro Ginza Line or the Tobu Skytree Line or Tsukuba Express.
A 5-minute walk from Asakusa Station (Exit 3)
2) Toei Subway Asakusa Line
A 7-minute walk from Asakusa Station (Exit A5)
Phone number: +81-3-3842-0181
Address:
Sensoji Temple, 2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan
Official Website:
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