Tokyo: Monuments and Historic Buildings

Sensoji Temple is an ancient Buddhist temple, built in the seventh century, situated in Asakusa in Tokyo.

The temple is dedicated to the goddess of mercy known as Kannon whose statue is placed here. It is believed that 2 brothers found this statue in the Sumida River and even though they put the statue of the goddess back in the river it came back to the same place, which is why the temple was built here.

The temple can be accessed from Nakamise which is a shopping area consisting of souvenir shops selling traditional items and snack centers. The outer gate of the temple is called the Kaminrimon or the Thunder Gate from where visitors enter the temple.

There is another gate Hozomon which can be accessed from the Nakamise shopping center. The main building of the temple has a 5 storied pagoda where several festivals and events are held in a year.