Sensoji Temple

このヴェニューを日本語で読む

Museums & Attractions

Review

With over 30 million visitors a year, Senso-ji holds a special place in local hearts. Otherwise known as Asakusa Kannon, Senso-ji is metropolitan Tokyo’s oldest temple and dedicated to Kannon, the bodhisattva of compassion. The principal statue of Kannon enshrined in the temple is said to have been saving worshippers ever since first appearing 1400 years ago when – as legend has it – fishermen discovered it in the Sumida river. Apart from the Nitenmon gate and the Denboin residence, most of the temple was destroyed during Allied bombing raids in 1945, with the main temple building and five-storied pagoda rebuilt after the war. In a local example of corporate philanthropy, the main Kaminarimon Gate – famous for its giant red lantern – was actually restored in 1960 through a donation from Konosuke Matsushita (Panasonic’s founder). If you fancy a snack heading to or from the temple, shops lining the ‘Nakamise’ approach sell popular local specialities. Crispy rice senbei ‘Kaminari okoshi,’ age-manju (deep fried cakes with a red-bean filling) and ningyo-yaki (cakes moulded into special shapes, also commonly filled with red-bean) may abate your hunger, but it’s also possible to part with your hard-earned yen on the many traditional trinkets and souvenirs on offer.

Tags:

Details

Address
2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku

Transport Asakusa Station (Tobu Skytree, Ginza, Asakusa lines)

Telephone 03 3842 0181 (temple)

Open Temple grounds open 24 hours, temple buildings 6am–5pm

Map

Please note: All information is correct at the time of writing but is subject to change without notice.

Restaurants & Cafés near Sensoji Temple

Bar Six

Just a few steps away from the centre of tourist-filled Asakusa lies the Amuse Museum, a ...

Naritaya

Found on one of the less busy shopping arcades just west of Asakusa's Sensoji, this otherwise ...

Umemura

For an introduction to Japanese-style desserts, this unpretentious Asakusa sweet shop is the ...

Asakusa Hatsune Koji Inshokugai

Pass by the Wins Asakusa off-track betting spot and you'll enter this bar street, renowned for ...

With Bunny

With an impressive five floors and an additional rooftop terrace, With Bunny is one of the ...

Grill Grand

Founded in 1941, Grill Grand is an Asakusa classic, and not least because of their home-made ...

Tweets

Add your comment

Copyright © 2014 Time Out Tokyo