Sensō-ji
浅草寺 · Taitō, Tokyo
Beneath the great lantern of the Kaminarimon: where Edo charm meets Tokyo's everyday bustle
Know before you go
- Don't swagger down the centre of the approach (the centre is the gods' path — worshippers walk at the sides)
- don't eat while walking (eating at fixed spots has been encouraged on Nakamise in recent years)
- don't shove cameras in the faces of monks or worshippers.
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
Legend
The Kannon statue pulled from the Sumida River
According to the 'Sensō-ji Engi' and other records, in 628 two fishermen brothers, Hinokuma Hamanari and Takenari, netted a statue of Kannon while fishing in the Sumida River, and Sensō-ji was founded. In 645 the monk Shōkai, following a revelation in a dream, made the statue a hidden Buddha, and it has never been shown since. It is said to be a golden statue about 5.5 cm tall, but because it is never shown, no one knows what it really looks like.
Source: Wikipedia: Sensō-ji
History
The 1945 firebombing of Tokyo
On 10 March 1945 Tokyo was hit by incendiary bombing, and Sensō-ji was burned down. The main hall seen today was rebuilt after the war.
Source: Wikipedia: Sensō-ji
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Founded in 628, it is Tokyo's oldest temple. Pass through the Kaminarimon and the Nakamise shopping street smells of ningyō-yaki and grilled senbei — the street life of the Edo period hits you head-on; the five-storey pagoda and main hall are vermilion and majestic, and the Sanja Matsuri brings the whole neighbourhood out each year. However times change, Asakusa remains the 'shitamachi' heart of Tokyo for Tokyoites.
Local customs
- Before praying, rinse your hands and mouth at the purification fountain
- in front of the main hall, offer a coin and put your palms together to pray — at Buddhist temples you omit the claps of 'two bows, two claps, one bow', and at Sensō-ji palms together is enough
- after drawing an omikuji, tie bad-luck slips to the racks.
Religion & beliefs
- Head temple of the Shō-Kannon school of Buddhism, enshrining Shō-Kannon. Keep quiet when worshipping and don't be loud in the hall
- wafting incense smoke over yourself is believed to ward off illness and bring blessings.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Don’t DON'T
- Don't swagger down the centre of the approach (the centre is the gods' path — worshippers walk at the sides)
- don't eat while walking (eating at fixed spots has been encouraged on Nakamise in recent years)
- don't shove cameras in the faces of monks or worshippers.
Locals appreciate DO
- Tokyoites appreciate worshippers who follow the rules
- tasting treats from old Nakamise shops, buying omamori and enjoying a leisurely 'shitamachi stroll' are most popular.
Plan your visit
Practical info
| Best time | Good all year, but the New Year 'hatsumōde' crowds are enormous (avoid the 1–3 January peak) |
|---|
Travel tips
- Good all year, but the New Year 'hatsumōde' crowds are enormous (avoid the 1–3 January peak). The temple is free, and before it opens at 6 a.m. there are the fewest people
- combine with Tokyo Skytree and a Sumida River cruise
- spring and autumn have the best weather.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Ningyō-yaki (doll-shaped cakes)
- Age-manjū (fried buns)
- Tempura / tendon
Ningyō-yaki (small red-bean cakes), age-manjū (fried buns), tempura / tendon (tempura rice bowls), handmade soba, anmitsu / matcha desserts
| Where to eat | Nakamise shopping street, the snack shops of Denbōin-dōri, Asakusa's long-established tempura restaurants (such as Daikokuya) |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | Many Nakamise shops have standing areas at the front — don't eat while walking; no eating or drinking inside the temple |
| Typical price per person | JPY 1,500–2,500 ≈ CNY 68–113 |
| Tips | Worship first in the early morning, then the shops open at 9 a.m.; buy ningyō-yaki freshly baked. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
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毒島みるく · CC0
Photos
Photos
Akonnchiroll · CC0
. Ray in Manila · CC BY 2.0
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Guilhem Vellut from Annecy, France · CC BY 2.0
Sources & verification notes
Compiled from Sensō-ji official visitor information
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