Senzoji
#japan Sensoji, also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple, is an ancient Buddhist temple located in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan. It is Tokyo’s oldest temple and one of its most significant. The temple was formerly associated with the Tendai sect of Buddhism before becoming independent after World War II.
The temple is dedicated to the bodhisattva Kannon (Avalokiteśvara)1. According to legend, a statue of Kannon was found in the Sumida River in 628 AD by two fishermen, brothers Hinokuma Hamanari and Hinokuma Takenari3. The chief of their village, Hajino Nakamoto, recognized the sanctity of the statue and enshrined it by remodeling his own house into a small temple in Asakusa so that the villagers could worship Kannon1. The first temple was founded in 645 AD, making it the oldest temple in Tokyo.
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.
Beyond the Hozomon Gate stands the temple’s main hall and a five-storied pagoda. Destroyed in the war, these buildings are relatively recent reconstructions. The Asakusa Shrine, built in 1649 by Tokugawa Iemitsu, stands only a few dozen meters to the left of 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 include 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.
Sensoji Temple is a few steps from Asakusa Station, served by the Ginza Subway Line, Asakusa Subway Line and Tobu Railway.