Sensoji in Asakusa - The Most Iconic Temple in Tokyo

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, and a metropolis filled with people, neon lights, pop culture, cool gadgets, ramen, and sushi. At least that's what comes up to many people's minds when they think about Tokyo. Despite being a very modern city, Tokyo still retains a lot of its traditional elements. And one of them, if not the most famous, is Senso-ji Temple. Senso-ji in Asakusa is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Tokyo. Despite receiving many visitors every day, not many people are aware of its significance. We're going to show you its brief history and its importance. Some of the major places within Senso-ji, including areas that aren't open to the public, and show you the etiquette that will help you when you next visit Senso-ji. Senso-ji is a Buddhist temple dedicated to the Bodhisattva Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy, with a history of almost 1,400 years. Within the vast complex of Senso-ji, it encapsulates numerous temples, shops, and landmarks. Senso-ji's beginning was very humble. Initially, a small hut was built for the Kannon statue, but later the local chief changed his home to a temple dedicated to the Kannon statue. The temple gradually became more extensive as the Kannon gained popularity among the locals. Over the years, the temple was rebuilt every time it was destroyed by natural disasters and fires. With an eye-catching giant red lantern in the middle, Kaminarimon, or the Thunder Gate, is the symbol of Senso-ji and Asakusa. Its full name is Fuuraijinmon, which can be translated to wind and thunder gate, deriving from statues of thunder and wind gods guarding the gate. The gate was originally built in 1635, but was destroyed a number of times due to fire. The current gate was rebuilt in 1960 after the fire destroyed the previous gate in 1865. Through the Thunder Gate is the Nakamise Shopping Street, which leads straight to the main temple. The street contains various stores with street foods, traditional souvenirs, toys, and many more. This shopping street is one of the oldest shopping streets in Japan. In the 17th century, Senso-ji gave the locals permission to open small shops in exchange for cleaning the temple grounds. That is said to be how Nakamise started in Asakusa. As you walk through the Nakamise Shopping Street, you'll see a gate with a red lantern similar to that of the Thunder Gate. The gate is also commonly known as Nioomon or Nio Gate, since two statues of wrathful Nio, the guardians of Buddha, guard the gate. The original gate was said to have been constructed in the year 942. After experiencing numerous fires over the years, it was rebuilt in 1649 by the third shogun from the Tokugawa dynasty, Tokugawa Iemitsu. The same gate welcomed visitors until it was destroyed in World War II. The current gate was built in 1964. Through the Hozomon Gate is the Hondo, the main hall, where the Kannon statue resides. Its history dates back to the year 628, when two local fishermen discovered the statue. The current building is a reconstruction of the previous main hall built back in 1649, which was designated as a national treasure. However, the main hall was destroyed in World War II. During the war, the statue was taken out from the main hall before the air raids struck and managed to escape destruction. The main hall, like many other buildings within Sensoji, faced countless destruction by fire over the centuries. Still, each time it was destroyed, the locals and the authorities were committed to restoring it. In 1958, the current main hall was reconstructed. The five-story pagoda is located on the west side of the main hall, which was constructed in 1973. The pagoda stores Buddha's ashes given as a gift in 1966 by Sri Lanka's royal temple. The first pagoda is said to be built in the year 942. It was then reconstructed in 1648, until it was destroyed in World War II. The original five-story pagoda was located on the east side of the main hall, and you can still see the foundation stone where it used to stand. The Nitenmon Gate, located on the east side of the main hall, was constructed in 1649 and restored in 2010. Two ferocious-looking jikokuten and zochoten, both major deities of Buddhism, guards the gate. Nitenmon means the gate of two ten. Ten meaning deity. The gate is designated as Japan's important cultural property. A small temple located on the west side of the main hall is Yakushido Hall, which is near a small bridge. Constructed in 1649 by the third shogun of the Tokugawa dynasty, Tokugawa Iemitsu, the temple is dedicated to Yakushinyorai, the Buddha of healing and medicine. Yakushido Hall is the third oldest surviving construction within Sensoji Complex. Awashima-do Hall was built around the late 17th to early 18th century, and it was used as a temporary main hall after the original main hall was destroyed in World War II. During the war, Sensoji priests took the Kannon statue out from the main hall and hid it within a rain barrel. It was then buried deep underground Awashima-do Hall to escape the air raid. One of the deity dedicated in the temple is Amidanyorai, the Buddha of light and life. To the north of Awashima-do Hall, the Zenizuka Jizo-do Hall is dedicated to Six Bodhisattva Jizo, the protector of all beings, patron of children and travelers. The current temple was constructed in 2019, and the previous temple is said to have been built around the early 18th century. Legend has it that a coin from the Edo period is buried beneath the temple, which led to people praying for business prosperity. There is a small hill to the southeast of the main hall behind the Nakamise shopping street. On top of the hill is Bentendo Hall, which was reconstructed in 1983. The temple houses a female deity, Benzaiten, one of the seven gods of fortune. The bell next to the temple was constructed in 1692 by the fifth shogun of Tokugawa dynasty, Tokugawa Tsunayoshi. The bell used to tell time back in the Edo period, hence it was called the A few-minute walk from the Senso-ji complex is Komagata-do Hall, located right next to the Sumida River. This place is said to be where the small hut was built for the Kannon statue back when it was salvaged from the river in the year 628. It's said to be the birthplace of Senso-ji, where it all began. The first Komagata-do Hall is said to have been built in the year 942, and the current temple was reconstructed in 2003. The temple is dedicated to Bodhisattva Bato Kannon, the horse-headed Kannon. Along the Denboin street is Chingo-do Hall, which enshrines Tanuki, or a raccoon dog, and it has a unique history. Tanukis are often depicted in myth and folklore as mischievous shapeshifters with supernatural powers. During the late 19th century, one night, a Tanuki appeared in Senso-ji's head priest's dream, telling him to build a shrine for them. In return, they would promise to protect Denboin, the head priest's official residence, from fire and guarantee prosperity. Hence, Chingo-do Hall was established. Denboin and Chingo-do both escaped the destruction from the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 and air raids from World War II, as promised by the Tanuki. Chingo-do also houses Mizuko-jizo, a patron saint who will comfort the souls of deceased infants and unborn fetuses. There is a special place restricted to the public to the west of Nakamise Shopping Street and south of the five-story pagoda, the Denboin Residence, the official residence of Senso-ji's head priest. It includes an entranceway, reception hall for guests, library and study rooms, and living rooms. The reception hall was built in 1777 and it was designated as Japan's important cultural property. Denboin also houses the statue of Amida Nyorai, the Buddha of Light and Life. The Denboin's garden, which is said to be created between 1624 to 1644, is designated as a place of national scenic beauty. There isn't any strict etiquette when visiting Senso-ji, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Most temples have a purification fountain, which people go to before entering the temple. First, fill the ladle at the fountain with clean water. Rinse your left hand and then the right. Then fill your left hand with some of that water, rinse your mouth and spit it out near the fountain. Tip the ladle to clean the handle with the rest of the water and return it. Purification complete. Then at the temple, throw your coins into the offering box, put your hands together to pray, bow once before leaving. The temple is connected to the Shogunate, so the Shogun also comes to visit to pray for the war. During the 1400 years, the Shogun and the people of the Shogunate come together to pray. Sometimes, the powerful people of the time use their wealth to build a magnificent temple, but the feature of Senso-ji is that the Shogun and the people of the Shogunate came together to build this temple. During the Tokugawa era, the Tokugawa Ieyasu also came to pray. During the Tokugawa era, the temple was destroyed by fire many times. But every time, the Shogun came to pray. In the case of Japanese temples, the Shogun supports the temple, but in the case of Senso-ji, the people of the Shogunate support the temple. The Shogunate has been connected to the Shogunate since the Edo period. Until the next video, see you nara!