Sensō-ji is Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple and the spiritual heart of Asakusa. Its approach begins at Kaminarimon, the imposing gate hung with a giant red lantern, then continues along Nakamise-dori, a shopping street lined with traditional snacks and souvenirs. Beyond it, the temple grounds open onto a five-storey pagoda and the main hall, where worshippers gather beneath the scent of incense.
Tradition dates the temple’s founding to 645 CE, after two fishermen are said to have found a statue of Kannon, the Buddhist bodhisattva of compassion, in the Sumida River. Much of the complex was destroyed during the Second World War; the main hall was rebuilt in 1958. Today, Sensō-ji remains an active place of worship as well as one of Tokyo’s most visited historic sites.
Come early in the morning to see the grounds before the busiest crowds arrive, or visit after dark when the gates and buildings are illuminated. The outdoor grounds are accessible beyond the main hall’s opening hours, so check ahead if you want to enter the hall. Remember that this is a working temple: keep voices low around worshippers and follow posted photography rules.