The Sensoji Temple

About the Sensoji Temple

The Sensoji Temple is the most famous temple in Tokyo and one of the most visited temples in the world. The temple sees over 30 million visitors each year, making it one of most visiting temples in the world.

The Sensoji temple is dedicated to Avalokiteśvara, which is a Buddhist Kannon. Legend states that a statue of Avalokiteśvara was found in a nearby river by two fishermen. For over 1,000 years, the villagers worshipped Avalokiteśvara in a small temple, built inside the home of one of the fishermen. In 645 AD, the Sensoji Temple was completed and replaced the makeshift temple inside the home. The Sensoji temple was destroyed during World War II and was rebuilt following the war.

The easiest way to get to the Senoji Temple is to take the Asakusa line to Asakusa Station. Be sure to check out the shopping bazaar near the grounds of the Sensoji Temple.

Entrance to the Grounds of the Sensoji Temple
Entrance to the Grounds of the Sensoji Temple
Walking Towards the Sensoji Temple
Walking Towards the Sensoji Temple

The Sensoji Temple - Table of Contents

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My Visit to the Sensoji Temple

I only was able to visit the Sensoji Temple at night.  When I arrived, I was disappointed to find that the temple and all of the surrounding shops were closed.  I was able to get some good pictures of the temple, but because I didn’t have my tripod, a few are slightly blurry.  It was fun to see the Sensoji Temple illuminated, but I felt like I missed the full experience due to it being closed.

The Sensoji Temple at Night
The Sensoji Temple
One of Two Niō Statues at Tokyo's Sensoji Temple
One of Two Niō Statues
One of Two Niō Statues at Tokyo's Sensoji Temple - Niō Statues are Guardians of Buddha
Niō Statues are Guardians of Buddha

Nakamise Shopping Street

I was especially sad when I saw that all of the shops in the nearby shopping bazaar were closed. I had been looking forward to visiting the 80+ shops that line Nakamise Street. Unfortunately, I was delayed in returning from Hakone due to a thunderstorm and didn’t arrive back in Tokyo until late in the evening. As a result, I didn’t get to experience the shopping bazaar.

Fellow Travel Bloggers, Candy, and Crystal from “The Travel Pockets” have great pictures and descriptions of the shopping experience. I highly recommend viewing their blog by clicking HERE.

The Shopping Bazaar Near the Sensoji Temple
The Shopping Bazaar Near the Sensoji Temple
Covered Shopping
Walking Through the Closed Shops Near the Sensoji Temple
Walking Through the Closed Shops

The Sensoji Temple is the most famous temple in Tokyo and one of the most visited temples in the world.  The temple sees over 30 million visitors each year not only making it one of most visiting temples but also one of the most visited religious sites in the world.

The temple is easily accessible on the Asakusa line at the stop with the same name (Asakusa.) The surrounding area is a bazaar of shops, and although many of the shops were closed for the night, the area was still crowded.  

The temple was impressive to look at but did not seem as spectacular as the temples that I visited in Taiwan or would later visit in Kyoto.  It did not have all of the fabulous wood carvings that many of the other temples had, and the area around it was so commercial.  It felt more like a tourist destination than a place of worship.

Sensoji Temple Tours and Packages

It is easy to see the Sensoji Temple without a tour.  The temple is close to public transportation and the grounds are easy to explore by foot.  If you do prefer a tour, I have linked two tours below that caught my eye.  Please note, that as an affiliate of Viator, I will receive a small commission if you purchase using one of my links.  This commission is at no additional cost to you.

History of Tokyo Tour Including the Sensoji Temple
The History of Tokyo: Sensoji Temple & Asakusa District Private Tour - $127.43

It’s the history that made the city today. During this private tour, it’s time to discover Tokyo through Sensoji Temple & Asakusa District.
Embark on a storytelling journey that will keep you entertained while at the same time giving you insights you can’t find in a history book.

Delve deep into the subject with highlights and landmarks like Kaminarimon Gate, Nakamise Street, and Sensoji Temple. Connect their relevance to this historical event and the effects it had from past to present in Tokyo. Thanks to your local guide, it will be as if you just took a trip back in time!

Withlocals History City Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local products and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups. Our tours are carbon-neutral and away from the standard tourist routes.

hello-tokyo-walking-tour-meiji-jingu-senso-ji-and-harajuku-in-tokyo-240435
Hello Tokyo Walking Tour: Meiji Jingu, Senso-ji and Harajuku - $116.73

Join this small-group walking tour and explore the contrast of the modern and traditional in Tokyo’s urban landscape. Start with a visit to the Meiji Jingu and Senso-ji, the city’s most prominent Shinto and Buddhist sites. Continue with a stroll through the neighborhood of Harajuku, the epicenter of Tokyo’s youth culture.

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