Sensoji Temple

The temple also shares its grounds with the Asakusa Shrine, dedicated to the three men credited with the temple’s founding. Considered one of the oldest original buildings in Tokyo, the shrine plays host to the exuberant Sanja Matsuri every May. Another popular building (and photo spot) is the five-story pagoda

A number of other festivals take place at Senso-ji throughout the year. The Kinryu-no-mai (Dragon Dance) can be enjoyed on March 18th and October 18th, when a large golden dragon on poles is paraded through the streets. Visitors on April 14th can witness the Sagi-no-mai (White Heron Dance), which features a parade of participants in both Heian-era outfits and heron costumes. In late autumn, the temple’s atmosphere grows even more exuberant during its end of the year rake fairs. Buyers come to purchase one of the many colorfully adorned tools in the hopes of raking in good fortune in the coming year.

It is arguably one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city, Senso-ji Temple – also known as Asakusa Kannon – can trace its roots back to the early 600s. In 628, two fishermen on the nearby Sumida River repeatedly brought up a golden statue of the Buddhist goddess of mercy along with their usual catch. Finally deciding not to throw the statue back to the depths of the river once more, they instead brought it to their village headman, who convinced them to build a temple in its honor. Senso-ji Temple was finished in the year 645 and quickly became a pilgrimage site.

Its popularity endured over the centuries and even continues in the present day, with most visitors making this one of their first stops in Tokyo. The road leading up to the temple, known as the Nakamise-dori or “street of inner shops”, peddles everything from lacquered chopsticks and ukiyo-e prints to cheap keychains and colorful trinkets. Cake-like ningyoyaki¸sweet treats that are served hot off the iron grill, are a popular purchase, as are warming cups of amazake in the winter months.