Senso-ji (Sensō-ji) in Asakusa is Tokyo's oldest temple and one of its most visited places. Its story begins, according to legend, in the 7th century, when two fishermen pulled a small statue of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy, from the Sumida River. Today the approach through the Kaminarimon gate, the shopping street of Nakamise-dori and the great main hall draw crowds from early morning, and visiting the temple grounds is free.
What Senso-ji is and why go
Senso-ji is an active Buddhist temple dedicated to Kannon, and it remains a working place of worship for many Tokyo residents. Much of Asakusa grew up around it as a temple town, and in the Edo period the area was the city's main entertainment district. Most of the main buildings were destroyed in the air raids of 1945 and rebuilt after the war, so what you see is largely a reconstruction, but the atmosphere of smoke, prayer and street food feels much older.
It is a good first temple for visitors to Japan. The layout is easy to follow, the rituals are visible and simple to take part in, and the surrounding streets are full of traditional snacks and crafts.
Getting to Senso-ji by metro
The nearest station is Asakusa, served by the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, the Toei Asakusa Line and the Tobu railway. From the Ginza Line platforms, the Kaminarimon gate is only a few minutes' walk, and signs in English point the way to the temple.
- The Ginza Line links Asakusa directly with Ueno, Ginza and Shibuya, so it is easy to reach from most central areas.
- The Toei Asakusa Line connects to Nihombashi and Shimbashi, and some trains run through toward Haneda and Narita airports.
- The Tsukuba Express also has an Asakusa station, a little further west of the temple.
- Water buses on the Sumida River stop near Asakusa, an alternative way to arrive from Hama-rikyu or Odaiba.
Senso-ji entry and opening hours
There is no ticket to enter Senso-ji. The temple grounds are open around the clock, while the main hall opens from early morning until late afternoon or evening, with slightly different times through the seasons. The temple's official website has current times. The shops on Nakamise-dori keep their own hours, generally opening mid-morning and closing in the early evening.
Things that cost a little money are optional: omikuji fortune slips, incense, charms (omamori) and goshuin, the hand-written temple stamps collected in a special book.
Best time to visit and how long to stay
Senso-ji is busiest from late morning through the afternoon, and on weekends and public holidays the main approach can be shoulder to shoulder. Go early in the morning for a calmer visit, before most Nakamise shops have opened, or come after dark, when the buildings are lit and the crowds thin out. Evening is also the best time for photographs of the pagoda and the main hall.
New Year is the busiest period of all, with huge numbers coming for the first prayers of the year. The Sanja Matsuri, held in May, is one of Tokyo's biggest festivals and fills the streets with portable shrines. Allow about an hour for the temple and Nakamise-dori, and half a day to explore Asakusa properly.
Highlights at Senso-ji
Kaminarimon
The Thunder Gate, with its huge red paper lantern and statues of the gods of wind and thunder, is the symbol of Asakusa. It is the most photographed spot in the area, so expect to wait for a clear shot.
Nakamise-dori
This shopping street runs from Kaminarimon to the inner gate and sells snacks, fans, toys and souvenirs. Try ningyo-yaki, small sponge cakes filled with red bean paste, or kaminari okoshi, a crisp rice sweet. Many shops ask customers not to eat while walking, so step aside to finish your food.
Hozomon and the main hall
The second gate, Hozomon, has giant straw sandals hanging on its back side. Beyond it, waft incense smoke from the large burner toward yourself before climbing to the main hall to pray.
The five-storey pagoda
The pagoda beside the main hall is a postwar reconstruction and is not open to visitors, but it looks especially fine when lit at night.
Asakusa Shrine
Just east of the main hall stands this Shinto shrine, which survived the war and is the centre of the Sanja Matsuri.
Nearby on the same stop
- Kappabashi Dogu Street: the kitchenware street, about 10 to 15 minutes' walk west, known for knives and plastic food samples.
- Sumida River: riverside walks with views of Tokyo Skytree across the water.
- Hoppy Street: an alley of casual outdoor eateries west of the temple.
- Tokyo Skytree: one stop away on the Tobu line, or a walk of about 20 minutes over the river.
Find more around this station on the Senso-ji page, or browse the full Tokyo metro map.