Senso-ji Temple

Here you are in front of Senso-ji, the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo. It was built in 628 to honour Kannon, the goddess of compassion. Back then, a temple wasn’t only a single building —no, it was bigger, as religious complexes often regrouped many structures, including pagodas and shrines surrounding the main temple hall. Though the original site was destroyed during World War II, it was faithfully reconstructed in 1958 alongside the hondō, which is the main temple hall you see before you, as well as the five-story pagoda, and the two large gates that stand guard at either end. In the main building, you’ll find several rooms, including the Goddess Hall where visitors come to pay respect to Kannon, and the Treasure House that holds a sacred statue of the deit. Unfortunately, this room is closed to the public. The Japanese have a custom here: they bow before the altar, press their palms together in prayer, and drop a coin as an offering before entering. As you walk around, you’ll naturally be immersed in the traditional Japanese atmosphere, with the temple’s vivid colors, the scent of incense in the air, and nearby shops selling local crafts, food specialties, and souvenirs to take home. Evidently, this is one of the most visited sites in Tokyo, with over 20 million visitors every year, which is no surprise given its status of oldest Buddhist temple in town. A cultural, historical, spiritual, and commercial hub all at once. A symbol of peace and renewal, Senso-ji counts among the most visited spiritual places on Earth, so it would be a mistake not to visit when in Tokyo!