Sensoji (浅草寺, 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
Hotels around Tokyo
-
-
![]()
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
-
Top rated in Asakusa
Budget:
-
-
![]()
cyashitsu ryokan asakusaSituated in Tokyo, 300 metres from Asakusa Fujiasama Shrine and 7.5 km from the centre, cyashitsu ryokan asakusa features air-conditioned accommodation with free WiFi, and an open-air bath. This 3-star ryokan offers a lift and full-day security. The ryokan has a hot tub and luggage storage space. At the ryokan, the units come with a wardrobe. Each unit has a safety deposit box and some rooms include city views. The units are equipped with heating facilities. At the ryokan, the family-friendly restaurant is open for dinner and specialises in Japanese cuisine. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Popular points of interest near cyashitsu ryokan asakusa include Nitenmon Gate, Edo Taito Traditional Crafts Center and Hozomon Gate. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 24 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Kaminarimon RyokanKaminarimon Ryokan offers accommodation with free WiFi. The rooms are air-conditioned and come with a flat-screen TV, fridge and Nespresso coffee machine. An electric kettle, a green tea set and free toiletries are provided. The hotel offers laundry service for an additional fee. Kaminarimon Ryokan is a 2-minute walk to the Asakusa Metro Station. From there, destinations like Akihabara, Ginza and Ueno are a 15-minute subway ride away. There are many dining options and convenience stores within a few minutes' walk from the hotel.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Tokyo Hikari GuesthouseThe cosy Tokyo Hikari Guesthouse offers private rooms and dorm beds, only a 1-minute walk from Kuramae Subway Station. It also features a shared lounge with WiFi/wired internet, tea and cooking facilities, all for free. A washing machine with detergent can be used free of charge. Rooms are air-conditioned and come with extra-long beds. Linens are changed every 3 nights. Bathrooms and toilets are shared, a shared hairdryer is provided free of charge and bath towels are available with an extra charge. Open from October 2014, Tokyo Hikari has a small, sunny garden. Luggage storage is available. Guesthouse Tokyo Hikari is a 15-minute walk from Asakusa.View on Booking.com -
![]()
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 -
![]()
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 -
![]()
MIMARU Tokyo Asakusa StationSet in the Taito district in Tokyo, MIMARU Tokyo Asakusa Station offers 4-star rooms with free WiFi. The property is close to Sumida Riverside Hall, Chiisanagarasunohonno Museum and 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. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 22 km from MIMARU Tokyo Asakusa Station.View on Booking.com -
![]()
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 -
![]()
MIMARU SUITES Tokyo AsakusaSituated in the Taito district in Tokyo, MIMARU SUITES Tokyo Asakusa offers 4-star rooms with free WiFi. Popular points of interest nearby include Ushijima Shrine, Asakusa Station and Komagatado. The property is 400 metres from Great Tokyo Air Raid Memorial Monument, and within 7.3 km of the city centre. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. The rooms have a wardrobe. Popular points of interest near MIMARU SUITES Tokyo Asakusa include Nitenmon Gate, Hozomon Gate and Honryuin Matsuchiyama Shoden. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 22 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
![]()
KOKO HOTEL Residence Asakusa TawaramachiWell set in the Taito district of Tokyo, KOKO HOTEL Residence Asakusa Tawaramachi is situated 500 metres from Matsuba Park, 100 metres from Eiken-ji Temple and 500 metres from Kappabashi-dori Shopping Street. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. The property is non-smoking and is located 200 metres from Honpo-ji Temple. All units are equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a kettle, a bidet, free toiletries and a desk. With a private bathroom equipped with a shower and a hairdryer, rooms at the hotel also provide guests with free WiFi. Popular points of interest near KOKO HOTEL Residence Asakusa Tawaramachi include Rinko-ji Temple, Drum Museum and Tokaku-ji Temple. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 22 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Section L Kuramae - AsakusaA recently renovated property, Section L Kuramae - Asakusa is situated in Tokyo near Kuramae Jinja Shrine, World Bags and Luggage Museum and Komagatado. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and a lift, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The aparthotel has family rooms. At the aparthotel, each unit is fitted with air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a kitchenette, a dining area and a private bathroom with slippers, a bidet and a hair dryer. A microwave, a toaster and fridge are also available, as well as a kettle. At the aparthotel, the units have bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the aparthotel include Eiken-ji Temple, Honpo-ji Temple and Drum Museum. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 21 km from Section L Kuramae - Asakusa.View on Booking.com
-
Experiences around Tokyo
Top rated in Tokyo
-
-
![]()
Japanese Traditional Kintsugi Experience in TokyoDiscover the Japanese traditional technique of transforming broken ceramic objects into revitalized art pieces, KintsugiView on Klook -
![]()
Most Popular Sushi Making Class & Cooking Class in TokyoYou can learn how to make **Maki-Sushi (Roll-Sushi) & Temari-Sushi** or **Maki-Sushi (Roll-Sushi) & Nigiri Sushi**View on Klook -
![]()
Crafting Your Own Unique Edo Kiriko Glass in AsakusaExperience the time-honored traditional craft of Edo Kiriko, which has continued since the Edo period first-hand.View on Klook -
![]()
Samurai Trial Cutting Experience of Japanese Swords in TokyoIaido, an ancient Japanese martial art, traces its origins back to the era of samurai warriorsView on Klook -
![]()
Tokyo Private Custom Highlight Tour with Licensed Guide (4/8h)Enjoy a day tour or a customizable half day tour with a private group in Tokyo!View on Klook -
![]()
Kimono rental & photography experience in AsakusaTake the subway to Asakusa Station (Ginza Line) Exit 4 and walk for 20 seconds. It is 220 meters away from Sensoji Kaminarimon Gate. The location is perfect!View on Klook -
![]()
Asakusa Kimono&Yukata Rental at Kimono Miyabi Asakusa in Main Branch**Klook Exclusive Free Next Day Return! Limited Time Only!** Show this message and return your Kimono the next day for FREE for rental during Sep 15 - Dec 15, 2023. Exclusions applied to Formal Kimono Furisode and Homongi. See What to Expect for more detailsView on Klook -
![]()
Kimono Yae Rental Experience in AsakusaVisit Yae in Asakusa, Tokyo and get to experience Japanese culture through clothing by renting a kimono/yukataView on Klook -
![]()
Challenge Sumo Wrestlers and Enjoy MealDon't miss your chance to interact with real sumo wrestlers!View on Klook -
![]()
Jeans Making Experience in TokyoWe use high quality selvedge denim with "red ears" treatment on both ends to prevent fraying.View on Klook
-
