Sensōji (浅草寺) Temple is visited by many Japanese and visitors to Tokyo. When you first approach Sensōji Temple you pass through Kaminarimon (雷門) or "Thunder Gate" with it's giant lantern and the statues of the guardian Gods Fujin (God of Wind) and Raijin (God of Thunder).

Kaminariomon - Thunder Gate Sensoji Temple

As well as the large Sensoji Temple and Thunder Gates there is an impressive pagoda located just to the side of the main temple. Also throughout the grounds are a number of smaller temples and shrines.

Shrine at Sensoji Temple

Senso-ji Rokkakudo is the oldest shrine found at Sensoji Temple dating back to 1618 in the early Edo period. This shrine is a hexagonal which is rare within Tokyo.

Senso-ji Rokkakudo Asakusa Sensoji Temple

Senso-ji Rokkakudo

There is an interesting, small shrine called Zeniduka Jizoudou Hall. This is a shrine which houses stone sculptures of 'Roku-Jizou' . There was a man called Yamaguchi whose wife dug up a crock filled with 'Kanei-Tsuhou' which were the coins that were used in the Edo period. The wife feared that if the family relied on this money and did not work for a living that bad luck would come to her family so she buried the coins again. As a result of the hard work the family prospered and ended up building the shrine above the buried coins.

Zeniduka Jizoudou Hall shrine

Just next to the grounds of the temple is a small amusement park with a number of different rides suitable for children.

During the Second World War Asakusa received heavy bombing from the Americans which resulted in 100,000 deaths here and the surrounding areas.

One of the more unusual festivals that occurs at Sensoji Temple is the annual Kanoki or 'baby-cry sumo' contest. Parents bring their babies to Sensoji Temple and sumo wrestlers hold the babies facing each other until they cry. The Japanese parents believe that the sumo wrestlers can make the babies cry out a wish for good health.

Last updated 4th May 2011

Sensoji Temple Asakusa Tokyo

Sensoji Temple

Nakamise Shopping Arcarde at Sensoki Temple

Nakamise shopping arcade Asakusa

As you pass through Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) you then walk along a long walkway which is the Nakamise shopping arcade which leads up to the main temple. This shopping arcade is lined with hundreds of small stalls that sell all types of souvenirs, clothing and food.

Senosji Temple and pagoda

All throughout the grounds of Sensoji Temple are various statues depicting the Buddha, other Buddhist imagery as well as people from Japanese history.

Buddha Statue at Sensoji Temple Asakusa

There is also the impressive Shibaraku statue which is made from copper and depicts the 9th Danjuro Ichikawa (1838 - 1903) a famous Kabuki actor. The statue has him in this trademark pose of 'Shibaraku'.

Shibaraku statue at Sensoji Temple

Asakusa also is home to 2 other temples/shrines. Asakusa Shinja is a large Shinto shrine and Chingodo Shrine is dedicated to Chingodo, a racoon dog which is guardian against burglars and fire.

From Asakusa you can catch a ferry down the river to the entrance of the harbour and to Odaiba which has a number of tourists attractions including a large ferris wheel, Rainbow Bridge, Venus Fort (a Venice Themed shopping centre), Decks Tokyo Beach and Joypolis - a gaming centre run by Sega.