Five-storied Pagoda

Right next to the Hozomon Gate stands one of Tokyo’s most remarkable buildings: the five-story pagoda, belonging to the Senso-ji temple complex. If you’re wondering, during ancient times, a temple wasn’t just a single building—it was often a vast site covering dozens of structures, and this pagoda was one of them, originally built as a wooden structure in 942. Over time, it was destroyed more than once—first by an earthquake a century after being built, then again during World War II bombings. What you see today is a faithful reconstruction from 1973, rebuilt in the same traditional style. At a height of 53 meters, it’s the second tallest pagoda in Japan and an Important Cultural Property since 1911. Despite not being open to the public, the presence of pagodas in Japan is highly symbolic. These tiered towers first appeared in the country in the 6th century, alongside the spread of Buddhism. While not as important as the main temple halls, pagodas are still deeply revered as they are said to house sacred relics, often stored in the second, third, or fifth level depending on the structure’s size.