Senso-ji Temple
Senso-ji Temple
4.5
06:30 - 17:00
Monday
06:30 - 17:00
Tuesday
06:30 - 17:00
Wednesday
06:30 - 17:00
Thursday
06:30 - 17:00
Friday
06:30 - 17:00
Saturday
06:30 - 17:00
Sunday
06:30 - 17:00
About
According to legend, two brothers kept trying to return a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, to the Sumida River only to have it returned to them the next day. This temple located in Tokyo's Asakusa district was built to honor her.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Ueno, Asakusa
Traces of the history and culture of the Edo (old Tokyo) era remain vividly in Ueno and Asakusa. Spacious Ueno Park is a great place to relax and visit a variety of different museums and galleries. At Ameyoko which starts in front of Ueno station, the grocery stores and clothing shops are crammed alongside fishmongers. It gets particularly busy at the end of the year, when many people go on shopping sprees. The town of Asakusa, developed around Sensoji temple, has many shops selling goods and clothing from old Japan, making it a great place for souvenir hunting. It's also known for various annual festivals, and the whole district gets involved with the huge Sanja Festival in May.
Reach out directly
See what other travellers are saying
  • 4historyandculture
    Charlotte, North Carolina1,534 contributions
    Very colorful Buddhist temple
    We had a day tour after our cruise and this was the first stop. Very interesting, open to everyone to visit. The emperor’s window of prayer and soul searching in long line of people was a learning experience. Before we exited the complex we stood in awe in front if the hanging 2,500 kg giant straw sandals against evil, made by 800 people, completed in one month.
    Visited October 2019
    Written 12 March 2020
  • GoGo2SlowGo
    Denton, Texas1,537 contributions
    The highlight of Asakusa
    This is a very popular Buddhist temple, built in the 7th century. You can’t miss it as you enter from the street. You’ll see many offers for a rickshaw tour of the area surrounding the temple. This is a very popular destination in Tokyo for the tourist and is a solemn temple for the locals. You can experience both when you visit. Legend says that in 628, two brothers fished a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, out of the nearby Sumida River. Later, they put the statue back into the river, but it always returned to them. Sensoji was built for the goddess of Kannon and was completed in 645, making it Tokyo's oldest temple. The statue has stayed in one place ever since. There is a very long shopping street where you can get all sorts of souvenirs or things to eat. Adjacent to the temple are fortune stalls. For a suggested donation of $100 JPY (about $1 USD) you can consult the oracle and receive answers to your questions.
    Visited April 2019
    Written 20 February 2020
  • Alison B
    101 contributions
    Large, Beautiful Temple
    We visited Senso-ji on New Year's Eve day early in the morning. This helped with the crowds as there weren't very many people there at all. I liked the shops on the walk up to the temple - when they are closed the gates have paintings on them that are very well done. We were able to get some great pictures of the temple, the sky tree, and the pagoda. The buildings are ornately decorated with gold and there are some small gardens on the grounds as well. I would recommend trying to go in the morning when the crown may be smaller.
    Visited January 2020
    Written 12 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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4.5
9,418 reviews
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19

Sean V
Hong Kong, China118 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Beautiful shops line the streets approaching this cultural icon. Go early to avoid the crowds. Must combine this with your trip to the Skytre which is just a few Tokyo Metro stops ahead.
Written 23 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jlblais59
Lehigh Acres, FL40 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
This is one of many Temples in and around Tokyo. Going on weekend it can very busy. Wear good walking shoes as ground can be uneven.
Written 22 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Smelltheflower
Corner of Earth1,441 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
We first visited Sensoji many, many years ago and had visited it a few times since. It is a temple most first time visitors to Tokyo will visit. Compared to when we first visited, Sensoji is now very crowded. However it is still special largely due to the Nakamise street where you have stalls and shops selling snacks and souvenirs nicely lined up at both sides in front of the temple. We had good memories of spending New Year celebrations here.
Written 21 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Luv2TravelFarNWide
Atenas, Costa Rica1,325 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
This may be the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo, with a lovely 5-story pagoda as well, but there are TOO MANY TOURISTS jamming the walkways, which is actually a gauntlet of souvenir shops leading to the temple.

Interesting to see so many tourists in kimonos (rented) walking through, but that almost made it seem even more touristy.

We could not get out of here fast enough. A quick run up to the temple, then out the back way. Didn't even stop to get photos.
Written 16 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Erico2709
Singapore, Singapore2,323 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
We have seen quite a few temples in Japan but this is probably one of the grandest and most happening. Leading to the temple is a long stretch of stalls selling souvenirs and crafts.
Written 11 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jacqui F
London, UK277 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
This most famous of temples is a busy place, full of tourists from across the world. If you are in Tokyo it is a must-see. Admission is free. It was great to visit near the end of the day, although many of the outlets, including those selling incense, were closed. There is a smaller Shinto Shrine just to the East of the main Senso-ji that is also worth visiting.
Written 10 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lori K
Saint Louis, MO2,096 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
When visiting Tokyo this place is a must see! We went during the week about mid morning and it was super crowded! Make sure you go off to the left and visit the bridge and other things.
Written 7 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TRIPADVISER
Eastbourne, UK270 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Wow what an amazing place to visit . A must when in Tokyo. Easy to get to by underground, best part is all the shopping stalls around the place that sell souvenirs, buzzing place full of locals. Side streets are cheaper to buy stuff. Temple is enormous and once inside there’s loads of other temples to see and it’s all completely free. During the day it does get busy and very hot best to visit late afternoon or early morning.
Written 23 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Runawayblond
Chicago, IL225 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Such a cool and beautiful experience if you have limited time I definitely recommend making the time to visit this temple
Written 9 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Chris P
Troy432 contributions
Jul 2023
Recommend going before the shops open or after they close to avoid the large crowds. It is a very popular site for tourists and easy to get to in the heart of Tokyo. It is free to visit
Written 7 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa

Frequently Asked Questions about Senso-ji Temple

Senso-ji Temple is open:
  • Sun - Sat 06:30 - 17:00
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