Sensoji, situated in Asakusa, stands out as a vibrant and revered Buddhist temple, earning its place among Tokyo’s most colorful and beloved religious sites.
According to legend, in the year 628, two brothers discovered a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, in the Sumida River. Despite returning the statue to the river, it mysteriously reappeared to them. As a result, Sensoji was constructed in the vicinity to honor the goddess Kannon. The temple’s construction concluded in 645, marking it as Tokyo’s oldest temple.
Upon approaching the temple grounds, visitors pass through the Kaminarimon, known as the Thunder Gate, serving as the outer gate of Sensoji Temple and an emblematic symbol of both Asakusa and the entire city of Tokyo.
A bustling shopping street, Nakamise, extending over 200 meters, connects the outer gate to the temple’s second gate, the Hozomon. This pathway offers a plethora of over several centuries of history, featuring a variety of Japanese souvenirs such as yukata and folding fans, along with traditional local snacks distinctive to the Asakusa area.