Sensōji, also known as the Asakusa Kannon, is the oldest temple in Tokyo.




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Location
Sensōji is located in Asakusa (浅草), a part of Tokyo's northeastern downtown district of Taitō (台東).

How to get there

• Asakusa is the terminus of the Metro Ginza line, which is the best way to get into the area, perhaps by connecting from the Yamanote line at Ueno.
• Another option is to take the eponymous Toei Asakusa line, which carves a path through eastern and southern Tokyo or by using the Tobu-Isesaki Line.
• From Shinjuku station, take Shinjuku line to Higashi-Nihombashi/Bakuro-yokoyama, change to Asakusa line
• Cruises down the Sumidagawa river depart from a wharf only 5-minute walk from the temple, by the Azuma-bashi bridge.

Admission

• Opening hours: 6:00 to 17:00 (from 6:30 from October to March)
• Admission: Free

Notes

• Temple was created in 645.
• Easily recognizable by the impressive Kaminarimon (雷門) or "Thunder Gate" with the enormous red lantern; it is guarded on either side by the gods of wind (Fujin) and thunder (Raijin).
• Behind the gate lies Nakamise-dori, an alleyway packed with shops selling sembei (rice crackers), toys, dolls, etc
• At the end of the arcade is the main gate Hōzōmon (宝蔵門), notable for a giant straw sandal (waraji) hung up on one side. This gate too is guarded by ferocious guardian gods.
• In front of the 2-storey treasure gate is the main hall of Kannondō (観音堂, Kannon Hall)
• According to tradition, it was founded in AD 628 to house a tiny gold statue of Kannon (goddess of mercy) caught in the nets of 2 brothers, and even though they put the statue back into the river, it always returned to them.
• Visitors stop at an imposing bronze censer to purify themselves by wafting plumes of incense over their heads.
• To the right (east) of the hall is Asakusa Jinja (浅草神社), a Shinto shrine devoted to protecting the Buddhist temple in a typically Japanese arrangement, and dedicated to the 2 Kannon fishermen.
• To the left (west) is Gojūnoto (五重塔, 5-Story Pagoda), which belongs to the Denpoin Temple (伝法院); it has a beautiful private garden not generally accessible to the public, but you might get lucky if you ask

Supporting Links

• Tokyo Subway Map

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