Senso-ji, Asakusa

金龍山 浅草寺（雷門・仲見世）

Tokyo's oldest temple, from the giant red lantern to the main hall

Hours

Grounds always open; main hall 6:00–17:00 (6:30–17:00 Oct–Mar) — Senso-ji official site

Tickets

Free

Address

2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku

Pass under the huge red lantern of Kaminarimon and Nakamise, a shopping lane of roughly 250 m, runs straight to the main hall. The stalls breathe out the smell of baking ningyo-yaki and soy-glazed rice crackers, and the crowd moves shoulder to shoulder. Beyond the second gate, Hozomon, smoke rises from a big incense burner and everyone scoops it over their heads and shoulders. If the daytime crush isn't for you, come at night: the shops are shuttered, their painted shutters are on show, and the floodlit five-storey pagoda looks like a different place.