Sensoji and Tokyo Station, Tokyo, Japan

Nov 20, 2024 | Asia, City, Japan, Religion

Sensoji (浅草寺), also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple, is one of Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temples. The red-brick facade of the Tokyo Station was completed in 1914.

Sensoji: 2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan
Tokyo Station: Japan, 〒100-0005 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Marunouchi, 1 Chome−9−1 東京ステーションホテル
KITTE Marunouchi: 2 Chome-7-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan

Date Picture Taken: September, 2024

Sensoji, Tokyo’s oldest and most iconic Buddhist temple located in Asakusa, is a vibrant cultural and spiritual hub featuring the iconic Kaminarimon Gate with its massive red lantern, a bustling Nakamise shopping street offering traditional snacks and souvenirs, a five-story pagoda, and a richly decorated main hall dedicated to Kannon, the goddess of mercy.

Kaminarimon Gate (Thunder Gate): The grand entrance to Sensoji, marked by a massive red lantern with the character for “thunder” (雷). It’s one of Tokyo’s iconic landmarks.

Nakamise Street: A vibrant shopping street from Kaminarimon to the temple. It is lined with shops selling traditional snacks, souvenirs, and crafts. The building at the far end of the picture is the temple building. It is a bit far away, marking that this shopping street is long.

A side street. Many side streets from Nakamise Street are also filled with shops and eateries.

A larger side street. I wandered a bit here

Then came back to Nakamise Street

Hozomon Gate: The second gate after Nakamise, which houses massive lanterns and giant straw sandals.

Five-Story Pagoda: A tall pagoda located near the main hall, a symbol of Japanese temple architecture.

Walked past the Hozomon Gate

Main Hall (Hondo): The central temple building where visitors come to pray. The interior is beautifully decorated and houses a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy.

Buildings on the left side of the Main Hall

The back of the Hozomon Gate

Came back to the Main Hall

Sensoji Temple is dedicated to Kannon Bosatsu (Avalokiteshvara), the Bodhisattva of Compassion, and is part of the Tendai sect of Mahayana Buddhism. It was originally built in 628 CE, making it Tokyo’s oldest temple.

A side market alley near Nakamise Street. In Japan, many big markets look like this with covered roofs.

Then I took a train from this region and went to Tokyo Station

Tokyo Station area

KITTE Marunouchi is a prominent shopping and dining complex located adjacent to Tokyo Station’s Marunouchi South Exit. The name “KITTE” is a play on the Japanese words “kitte” (postage stamp) and “kite” (come), reflecting its origins as the former Tokyo Central Post Office building.