Sensoji (, Sensōji, also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple) is a Buddhist temple located in Asakusa. It is one of Tokyo's most colorful and popular temples.
The legend says that in the year 628, two brothers fished a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, out of the Sumida River, and even though they put the statue back into the river, it always returned to them. Consequently, Sensoji was built nearby for the goddess of Kannon. The temple was completed in 645, making it Tokyo's oldest temple.
When approaching the temple, visitors first enter through the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), the outer gate of Sensoji Temple and the symbol of Asakusa and the entire city of Tokyo.
A shopping street of over 200 meters, called Nakamise, leads from the outer gate to the temple's second gate, the Hozomon. Alongside typical Japanese souvenirs such as yukata and folding fans, various traditional local snacks from the Asakusa area are sold along the Nakamise. The shopping street has a history of several centuries.
Beyond the Hozomon Gate stands the temple's main hall and a five storied pagoda. Destroyed in the war, the buildings are relatively recent reconstructions. The Asakusa Shrine, built in the year 1649 by Tokugawa Iemitsu, stands immediately adjacent to the temple's main building.
Various events are held throughout the year in the Sensoji Temple area. The biggest of them is the Sanja Matsuri, the annual festival of the Asakusa Shrine, held in May. Other events are the Asakusa Samba Carnival in August and the Hagoita-ichi (Hagoita Market) at which decorated wooden paddles used in the traditional game of hanetsuki are sold.
Getting there and around
Sensoji Temple is a few steps from Asakusa Station, served by the Ginza Subway Line, Asakusa Subway Line and Tobu Railway.
From Tokyo Station
Take the JR Yamanote Line to Kanda Station (2 minutes, 150 yen) and transfer to the Ginza Subway Line for Asakusa (10 minutes, 180 yen).
From Shinjuku Station
Take the orange JR Chuo Line to Kanda Station (10 minutes, 180 yen) and transfer to the Ginza Subway Line for Asakusa (10 minutes, 180 yen).
Hours and Fees
Hours
Main hall: 6:00 to 17:00 (from 6:30 from October to March)
Temple grounds: Always open
Temple grounds: Always open
Closed
No closing days
Admission
Free
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
English
Japanese
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SAKE Bar Hotel AsakusaA boutique hotel with free-flowing Japanese sake, two-minutes from Asakusa Station. Savor our original sake while relaxing with an open-air footbath.View siteSponsored
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Asakusa HomeSuites TokyoConveniently situated in the Taito district of Tokyo, Asakusa HomeSuites Tokyo is located 500 metres from Rinko-ji Temple, 400 metres from Drum Museum and 400 metres from Asakusa ROX Shopping Center. This 3-star hotel offers room service and free WiFi. The property is 6.6 km from the city centre and 100 metres from Kappabashi-dori Shopping Street. Guest rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a fridge, a microwave, a kettle, a bidet, free toiletries and a desk. The hotel provides certain rooms that include a safety deposit box, and each room is equipped with a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. At Asakusa HomeSuites Tokyo every room includes bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Matsuba Park, Kinryu Park and Sogenji Temple. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 23 km from Asakusa HomeSuites Tokyo.View on Booking.com -
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Resol Poshtel Tokyo AsakusaIdeally set in the Taito district of Tokyo, Resol Poshtel Tokyo Asakusa is set 300 metres from Drum Museum, 300 metres from Kappabashi-dori Shopping Street and 500 metres from Kinryu Park. Featuring a shared lounge, the 1-star capsule hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. The property is 6.8 km from the city centre and 200 metres from Asakusa ROX Shopping Center. At the capsule hotel the rooms come with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near Resol Poshtel Tokyo Asakusa include Asakusa Public Hall, Sogenji Temple and Honpo-ji Temple. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 24 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
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MIMARU Tokyo Asakusa StationSet in the Taito district in Tokyo, MIMARU Tokyo Asakusa Station offers 4-star rooms with free WiFi. The property is around 500 metres from Sumida Riverside Hall, 500 metres from Chiisanagarasunohonno Museum and 300 metres from World Bags and Luggage Museum. The property is non-smoking and is located 200 metres from Asakusa Station. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At MIMARU Tokyo Asakusa Station all rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Komagatado, Hozomon Gate and Nitenmon Gate. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 22 km away.View on Booking.com -
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ENT TERRACE AsakusaA recently renovated property, ENT TERRACE Asakusa is set in Tokyo near Honpo-ji Temple, Eiken-ji Temple and Matsuba Park. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and a lift, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The aparthotel features family rooms. The units in the aparthotel are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a kitchen, a dining area, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a bidet, slippers and a hair dryer. An oven, a microwave and toaster are also featured, as well as a kettle. At the aparthotel, the units are equipped with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the aparthotel include Kappabashi-dori Shopping Street, Drum Museum and Kuramae Jinja Shrine. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 22 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Ryokan Kamogawa AsakusaRyokan Kamogawa Asakusa is a 2-minute walk from Kaminarimon and Sensoji Temple. Asakusa Subway Station is a 5-minute walk away. The hotel offers Japanese-style accommodation with a free private bath and free internet. Guestrooms feature tatami-mat flooring and traditional futon bedding. Each room is equipped with a Japanese tea set, a fridge and a flat-screen TV. Kamogawa Asakusa Ryokan is a 5-minute walk from Tobu Train Station and a 10-minute drive from Tokyo City Air Terminal.View on Booking.com -
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