Attraction
Meiji Jingu
A major Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, set in a large man-made forest beside Harajuku and Yoyogi Park.
Senso-ji
Tokyo's oldest and most visited Buddhist temple, reached through the Kaminarimon gate and the shop-lined Nakamise approach in historic Asakusa.
At a glance
- Type
- Buddhist temple
- Area
- Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan
- Official site
- senso-ji.jp
Good to know
- Free entry
- Grounds open daily
Why we recommend it
Senso-ji is the spiritual heart of Asakusa and the temple most visitors picture when they think of old Tokyo. You enter beneath the giant red lantern of the Kaminarimon, walk the Nakamise arcade of snack and souvenir stalls, then pass through the Hozomon gate to the main hall and its five-storey pagoda. The temple traces its origins to the seventh century, although the current buildings are post-war reconstructions.
The grounds are always open, so the best way to see it calmly is early in the morning or after dark, when the buildings are lit and the crowds thin out. The main hall itself opens at 6:00 (6:30 from October to March) and closes at 17:00. Asakusa Station on the Ginza and Asakusa lines is a few minutes' walk away, and the Sumida River and Tokyo Skytree views are close by.
Senso-ji FAQs
Is there an entry fee?
No, visiting the temple grounds and main hall is free.
What time does the main hall open?
6:00 to 17:00, opening at 6:30 from October to March; the outer grounds are open at all hours.