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Senso-ji Temple
日本、〒111-0032 東京都台東区浅草２丁目３−１
Senso-ji Temple is the oldest temple in Tokyo, located in Asakusa, Taito Ward. Its formal name is Kinryuzan Senso-ji. It is widely known as Asakusa Kannon because its principal deity is the Holy Kannon Bodhisattva. Originally belonging to the Tendai sect, it became the head temple of the Seikannon sect after gaining independence in 1950 (Showa 25). It is the only designated site in Tokyo for the Hokoku Thirty-Three Kannon Pilgrimage (13th site) and the first site of the Edo Thirty-Three Kannon Pilgrimage. As one of Japan's most famous tourist destinations, it attracts a massive number of visitors during Hatsumode (the first shrine visit of the New Year), consistently ranking in the top 10 nationwide for visitor numbers. The mantra for the principal deity is: On arorikyo sowaka. The associated poem reads: 'Deep sins shall never trouble me again, for I come to Asakusa to cleanse my body.'
History
Founded in 628 CE, it is the oldest temple in Tokyo. Originally part of the Tendai sect, it became the head temple of the Seikannon sect in 1950 (Showa 25) after separating from the main sect. It is a major tourist destination that draws large crowds, especially during the New Year's Hatsumode visits.
Blessings
Senso-ji enshrines the Holy Kannon Bodhisattva and is known as Asakusa Kannon. The temple's poem mentions 'coming to Asakusa to cleanse one's body,' which is interpreted as the benefit of washing away sins and fulfilling wishes.
What visitors say
While some note that the site is less crowded than before due to a decrease in tourists from China, others still describe it as bustling with people. The Kaminarimon Gate, Nakamise Shopping Street, and the historic atmosphere of the buildings are cited as major attractions. Visiting in the early morning is recommended as a tip to avoid the crowds.
Annual events & festivals
- January 1-7Shuuse-e (New Year's Service) and New Year Grand Prayer Service
New Year rites to ward off misfortune and invite good fortune. The first three days are bustling with millions of first shrine visitors.
These New Year rites, held from New Year's Day, pray for the warding off of misfortune, the invitation of good fortune, and national peace to the main enshrined deity, Kannon Bosatsu (Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva). As the oldest temple in the Tokyo metropolitan area, it is bustling with millions of Hatsumode visitors during the first three days of the new year.
HighlightsSee details on the official site ›- ・Kamin-mon and Nakamise-dori (Nakamise Shopping Street)
- ・Hatsumode at the Oldest Temple in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area
- ・New Year's Bustle
- Around February 3Setsubun-e (Bean-Throwing Festival)
A bean-throwing festival based on the belief that 'no demons exist before the Kannon deity.'
Distinctively, the chant 'Oni wa soto' (demons out) is not recited. Bean-throwing is performed by the year's lucky men, lucky women, and celebrities. A celebratory 'Fukushu no Mai' (Dance of Gathering Fortune) is also performed.
HighlightsSee details on the official site ›- ・Bean-throwing without the 'demons out' chant
- ・Fukushu no Mai (Dance of Gathering Fortune)
- ・Bean-throwing by lucky men and celebrities
- March 18Honzon Shigen-e (Kinryu no Mai / Dance of the Golden Dragon)
Celebrating the manifestation of the main enshrined deity, with a performance of the Dance of the Golden Dragon.
This is the anniversary of the manifestation of the main enshrined deity, Shou-Kannon Bosatsu (Avalokiteshvara), during the reign of Empress Suiko. A vigorous 'Kinryu no Mai' (Dance of the Golden Dragon), performed with celebratory intent, takes place within the temple grounds.
HighlightsSee details on the official site ›- ・Kinryu no Mai (Dance of the Golden Dragon)
- ・Anniversary of the main deity's manifestation
- July 9-10Shiman-rokujupponichi / Hoozuki-ichi (46,000 Days / Chinese Lantern Market)
A lucky day believed to grant the merit of 46,000 days of worship.
It is a lucky day said to grant the merit of 46,000 days of worship. A summer tradition features stalls selling Chinese lanterns (hoozuki) in the temple grounds, and amulets for lightning protection are also distributed.
HighlightsSee details on the official site ›- ・Merit of 46,000 days
- ・Chinese lantern stalls
- ・Lightning protection amulets
- October 18Kiku Kyouyou-e (Chrysanthemum Offering Ceremony)
A Buddhist ceremony offering chrysanthemums to the Kannon deity to express gratitude.
A ceremony offering chrysanthemum flowers to the main enshrined deity to express gratitude. There is a custom where visitors receive 'osage' chrysanthemums in exchange for the chrysanthemums they offer, using them for warding off misfortune.
HighlightsSee details on the official site ›- ・Chrysanthemum offerings
- ・Distribution of chrysanthemums for warding off misfortune
- December 17-19Hagoita-ichi (Nasume no Kannon / New Year's Shuttle Cock Market)
A year-end market adorning Asakusa, featuring stalls selling shuttle cocks (hagoita) in the temple grounds.
A year-end market held on the final Kannon lucky day of the year (Nasume no Kannon). A tradition continuing since the Edo period, it features stalls selling shuttle cocks with vibrant decorations, a hallmark of the year-end season.
HighlightsSee details on the official site ›- ・Vibrantly decorated shuttle cocks
- ・Year-end market continuing from the Edo period
- ・Year-end bustle
Dates can shift from year to year. Please check the official information before you go.
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