Quiz: Japan’s Hidden Side – Vol.1: Behind Sensō-ji

2. 30%

Explanation:
Sensō-ji is known as one of Japan’s most “bad-luck-heavy” temples.
Here’s the rough breakdown:

But don’t panic if you draw a bad one — in Buddhist belief,
a “bad fortune” simply means there’s room for improvement,
a chance for things to turn around.
After all, luck is often a matter of perspective.

3. A hall that serves as the true spiritual core of Sensō-ji’s worship

Explanation:
Sorry to disappoint those hoping for a dragon sighting.
What you’ll actually find is something far more meaningful — the Yōgō-dō (影向堂), a hall quietly standing behind the main building.

While the Kaminarimon Gate, Main Hall, and Nakamise Street form the public face of Sensō-ji,
all major Buddhist ceremonies, memorials, and monk training take place in this hidden hall.

The word yōgō (影向) literally means “the appearance of a Buddha before human eyes.”
If you want to feel the temple’s true spiritual atmosphere — away from the crowds and souvenir stalls — this is where you should go.

3. A Shintō shrine

Explanation:
Tricky one — especially if you know a bit about Japanese religion.
Yes, Buddhism (temples) and Shintō (shrines) are separate faiths.
Yet, right next to Sensō-ji stands Asakusa Shrine, a Shintō shrine dedicated to the three men who founded the temple itself.

This reflects Japan’s traditional concept of Shinbutsu-shūgō — the blending of Buddhism and Shintō,
a practice once so common that shrines and temples often shared the same grounds.

Even today, many Japanese people visit both shrines and temples without thinking twice.
It may look inconsistent, but it’s really a reflection of Japan’s uniquely flexible approach to faith.

2. Panasonic

Explanation:
The enormous lantern at Sensō-ji’s Kaminarimon Gate was donated in 1960 by Konosuke Matsushita,
the founder of Matsushita Electric (松下電器) — today known as Panasonic.

On the underside of the lantern, you can still see the old company name “松下電器” (Matsushita Electric) engraved in kanji,
a humble mark of gratitude for funding the gate’s reconstruction.

Weighing about 700 kilograms (1,500 lbs), the lantern can be detached during typhoons for safety,
and Panasonic engineers are said to assist in its maintenance even today.

A subtle reminder that in Japan, faith and industry have long illuminated each other.

1. A circus

Explanation:
In 1872 and 1873, during Japan’s early fascination with Western entertainment,
a French circus troupe performed right inside Sensō-ji’s temple grounds.

It was a huge hit — but not without incident.
According to local records, one of the troupe’s monkeys escaped and injured a nearby resident,
prompting temple officials to issue a stern warning.

The idea of a circus at a Buddhist temple may sound absurd today,
but back then, Asakusa was Tokyo’s center of both faith and fun —
a place where sacred rituals and sideshows could share the same stage.