Kinryūzan Sensōji Temple

Author: Richard Perkins
Photos/Videos Taken: 2021/10/15
Address: 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku,
Tokyo,【111-0032】

Officially known as 金龍山浅草寺 (kinryūzan sensōji) Sensōji Temple is a Buddhist temple in the Taitō ward of Tokyo. Originally part of the Tendai sect of Buddhism, Sensōji Temple broke away from that sect and is now part of the Shō-kanon sect. Founded on March 18th, 628, Sensōji Temple is Tokyo’s oldest temple. As the story goes, two brothers (Hinokuma-no-hamanari and Hinokuma-no-Takenari) were fishing in the Miyato River (currently the Sumida River) and happened to catch a doll in their net. They gave the doll to Haji-no-Manakachi (their master). Upon receiving the doll, Haji-no-Manakachi became a Buddhist monk, turned his house into a temple, and held a religious service to honor it. That particular temple that Haji-no-Manakachi turned his house into is known today as "Kinryūzan Sensōji Temple".

Despite being a temple with history, Sensōji Temple nowadays is known not for its history but for being (most likely) the most popular and well-known temple and tourist destination in Tokyo. Pretty much everyone who visits Tokyo comes and prays at this temple. The street that leads up to the main building here is known as 仲見世 (nakamise). This street is full of shops selling souvenirs exclusive to Tokyo as well as a wide variety of traditional Japanese handicrafts. On top of this, staff in many shops here can speak a little bit of English, so it’s an area that’s especially popular with foreign tourists.

Tokyo is known for a particular type of food known as もんじゃ焼き (monjayaki). Monjayaki is like a thin pancake made from light flour, cabbage, meat, and other ingredients. Cooked and eaten on a giant hot plate built right into a table, many other shopping arcades that intertwine with Nakamise have restaurants where this dish can be enjoyed. Many of them are where you can enjoy the atmosphere of downtown Tokyo while enjoying some delicious alcohol. Many of these restaurants are ones that only locals visit, so even though (as mentioned above) Sensōji Temple is very popular with foreign tourists, there are many places in and around it that (usually only) the Japanese enjoy. This is one temple that everyone should visit at least once if they have the chance.

NOTE
As mentioned above, Sensōji Temple is very popular with foreign tourists and is always full of people. Having said that, this is a great place to find souvenirs specific to Tokyo and to find a variety of traditional Japanese items. There are also many quiet 居酒屋 (izakaya—Japanese-style bars) nearby where you can eat and drink at your own pace. It’s not just foreign tourists, but Sensōji Temple is one temple worth visiting for Japanese tourists too.