Asakusa is one of popular destinations in Tokyo! There is famous temple named Sensou-ji, but also other temples and shrines too. Here is a guide for shrine and temple in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan including hidden gems that you can find around Sensoji. There are many interesting things like a ceiling with 100 pictures, rare triple Torii gate, beckoning cats, etc!
Sensoji Temple
Sensoji temple has over 1400 years of history.
5 story Pagoda
It was originally built in 942 at different place, and relocated and rebuilt in 1648. But it was burnt out, and the current one was rebuilt in 1973. You can not go inside of building though, only people who applied for eternal memorial service and their family are allowed to visit inside on the specific days.
Japanese Garden
On the left side of main building, you can find a beautiful Japanese garden with small pond with Koi fish, stone bridge, etc. In autumn, it’s also beautiful when the leaves changes its color.
Information : Sensouji Temple
- 5 mins of walking from Asakusa station
- 24h (you can go inside of mainhall from 6 am (6:30 during Oct – Mar)
Sensoji Temple – official site (English)
Asakusa Shrine
Asakusa Shrine was built in 1649 by the order from Iemitsu Tokugawa. It has been survived from fires, wars, and earthquakes. There are a lot of imaginary animals drawing everywhere, these are symbols of peace and painted with wish for people’s happiness.
Sanja Matsuri : Festival
It is held on 3rd Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of May. About 1m + 800k people come/join.
Fuufu Komainu
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Usually a pair of Komainu (Guardian dog) is facing to each other, but you can find it’s sitting next to each other here. It’s very rare. This was made at the beginning of Edo era.
Fuufu = Married couple
Information : Asakusa Shrine
Asakusa Jinja – Official site (English)
Imado Jinja Shirine
Imado Shrine is known for Beckoning Cats and the God of love. (In Shinto, they believe there are thousands of gods out there).
Beckoning cat
This area is the birthplace of ceramic ware called Imado Yaki, they used to make a lot of beckoning cats too. People offered their beckoning cats to Imado Shrine, that’s why there are many of them.
Today, these two beckoning cats sitting next together are famous to take a pic, and use that pic as home screen so that good things will come, people say. Believe or not, it’s interesting.
Fortune slip / Lucky Charm / Ema
There are other things that people come for, they have very cute cat fortune slip. Also a lot of choices of color for lucky charms. I got a pink one!
The Ema (where you write your wish) here is round shape with cats and ribbon illustrations. The ribbon is used for something good, usually.
Information : Imado Shrine
- Open for 9 am – 4 pm
- No Parking space
- No bathroom
Ushijima Shrine
It was built in year of 860, it means it has over 1160 years of history.. wow. It was located in different place, but got transferred to the current location after the earthquake in 1923.
The main building is decorated with beautiful engraving, you should check it 🙂
The Ox
Ushijima Shrine is dedicated to the Ox. You can find a guardian ox close to entrance, also one inside (pic above). People come and rub the part of ox’s body where they want to get healed on their own body, because it’s been said it will get healed if you do so.
Mitsu Torii or Miwa Torii ( Triple Gate )
This is very rare, that you can find triple Torii Gate, I looked up why they made it like this but i couldn’t find the reason, unfortunately. Although, I am teaching you how to do with this gate.
- Go under the center gate, turn back from the left one (You must be in front of center, outside of Torii Gate)
- Go under the center gate, turn back from the right one (You must be in front of center, outside of Torii Gate)
- Go under the center gate, turn back from the left one (You must be in front of center, outside of Torii Gate)
- Go under the center one, and go INSIDE finally!
It’s like you are drawing the number “8”. It would be difficult but it’s fun to try 😉
Information: Ushijima Shrine
About 10 mins from Asakusa station.
https://www.instagram.com/ushijima145/
Yasakiinari Shrine
It was built in 1642, and this shrine had damaged by fires but still here today with support from local people.
100 pictures on ceiling
On the ceiling, there are 100 pictures about Japanese horse riding history which is amazing! Some of them were used for official leaflet for a movie “Last Samurai”.
Information : Yasaki Inari Shrine
You can go inside of main building if you are wearing socks on Tatami mat (take off your shoes).
I know most people go to Sensouji temple, but I just wanted to give you information for what to see around Asakusa, hopefully you like it 😉
