Although we have to take both our shoes and socks off before we enter the Shwedagon Pagoda, we do not have to do the same in Sensoji temple. Moreover, there is no strict dress code in the Sensoji temple, unlike the Shwedagon, where ladies are required to wear longyi. At the Sensoji temple, you can see people praying homage while standing but Myanmar people only pay homage while sitting down. At the Shwedagon Pagoda, there are families sitting on the floor, chatting and relaxing. On the other hand, in Japan, especially at the Sensoji temple, there are a bunch of people (especially tourists) walking along the Nakamise street, so there is no space for standing or chilling.

 

Some more interesting facts are that for Japan, there is a practice which involves purifying and cleaning ourselves before reaching to the grounds of the shrine precinct.  We purify our hands and rinse our mouths with water at the area called “Chozuya,” and clean our bodies by covering smoke in front of the incense burner. Also in Myanmar, after doing good deeds such as worshipping, donating lights and flowers, etc., people share the merits they have got by ringing the bell so that every visible and invisible beings from all 31 planes of existence can hear and share it. Also, there are 8 planetary posts characterized by 8 different spiritual animals for the visitors to worship according to the day they were born and only Wednesday is divided: morning and evening.