Tokyo may not have as many temples as Kyoto, but Senso-ji isn’t the city’s most popular just by default. In the year 628—according to legend—two brothers fished a statue of the goddess of mercy, Kannon, from the Sumida River. Senso-ji was built in Asakusa as tribute, although the Buddhist statue has never been on public display. Travelers first enter the complex by passing through Kaminari-mon (Thunder Gate), where a massive red lantern hangs above. Beyond the gate, a chockablock shopping street, Nakamise-dōri, bustles with stalls selling trinkets and treats, from Edo-style handicrafts to pancake-like sweets filled with red bean paste. As a place of worship, an underlying sense of reflection flutters amongst the hustle of tourists.
You won’t actually get to see the mysterious statue of the goddess of mercy (as noted, it’s never been on public display), but the atmosphere is one for the bucket list. Senso-ji, the temple itself, is at the end of the shopping street, while a recently renovated five-story pagoda stands to the left (ranking as the second tallest pagoda in Japan). Japanese visitors flutter around a large incense cauldron in front of the temple where incense is said to benefit good health, and there’s even a Shinto shrine on the other side—it’s a fulfilling attraction (to say the least).
Travelers keen to avoid crowds should arrive early, but even tourists that are remotely interested in Japanese culture can find something to appreciate—even if it is a sweet taste of fresh snacks.
