Senso-ji is Tokyo’s most visited temple and when you see it, it’s quite easy to see why once you set eyes on it. But it also comes with a lot of folklore and history.
Kanon
The temple is said to enshrine a golden image of the Buddhist goddess of Mercy, Kanon set in gold. Though it is not on display, it is said to have been fished out of the Sumida-gawa by fishermen in 628 AD.
The Illuminated Temple
The present structure of Senso-ji dates back to 1958. It is illuminated at night and makes for quite a sight. It is a constantly busy temple, especially on the weekends. There are fewer people in the evening so that makes it the perfect time to come and see it in all its illuminated glow. It’s an under 40-minute journey by subway on the Oedo Line with a transfer into the Tsukuba Express if you are heading there from Citadines Central Shinjuku Tokyo.
Not Only the Temple
The temple is not the only attraction that is worth going to see. The fantastic red Kaminari – mon and the bustling Nakamise-dori shopping street. Nakamise-dori is the best place to go if you want to buy Edo-styled trinkets. Thanks to its relative closeness to many serviced apartments in Tokyo you could get to the streets around Senso-ji in no time.
Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world. Google+
