Kazaridaru

Shinto shrines in Japan need sake or rice wine for their ceremonies and festivals. Sake brewers in Japan then donate wines to shrines for this purpose. It is a mutually beneficial arrangement. The brewers provide the wine, and the shrines pray for the brewers' prosperity.

At major shrines in the country, barrels of sake are displayed in stacks outside, as shown in the picture above taken at the Meiji Jingu or Meiji Shrine in Shibuya, Tokyo. These barrels are called kazaridaru or "decoration barrels." Although they are empty, they symbolize the relationship between the shrine and the sake brewers.

Sensō-ji

Sensō-ji, also known as the Asakusa Kannon Temple, is the oldest temple in Tokyo. It was supposed to have been founded in 628 AD, although the current temple was only built in 1958. It is dedicated to Bodhisattva Kannon, otherwise known as Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. It's one of Tokyo's most important tourist spots.

Leading up to the temple is Nakamise-dōri, an alleyway packed with shops selling traditional Japanese items such as dolls, toys, combs, sembei (rice crackers), umbrellas, paper wallets, fans, and other omiyage (souvenirs).