Sensoji (Asakusa Kannon Temple) 浅草寺

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Sensoji temple's Kaminarimon Gate. There's a large road in front and also a large paved area where festivals are held. 雷門

Symbol of Tokyo: Kaminari-mon Gate with a giant red paper lantern. Pass through this gate to reach Asakusa Kannon Temple. 雷門

One of Tokyo's most photographed buildings: Kaminari-mon Gate with a giant red paper lantern.

Giant red paper lantern with the kanji characters "Kaminari Mon." The gate was reconstructed in 1960. The previous one was lost in a fire in 1865.

Under the lantern on the gold cap, there's "Matsushita Denki" (Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. or Panasonic). The current Kaminarimon Gate and giant lantern were rebuilt in 1960 as a donation by Konosuke Matsushita.

The lantern is covered with a protective net. The lantern can be collapsed like an accordion to allow tall objects (such as a mikoshi portable shrine during the Sanja Matsuri festival) to pass under the gate. It is also collapsed during typhoons.

The famous Kaminarimon lantern was replaced with a new one in Nov. 2013. This is the back.

The bottom of the new Kaminarimon lantern has this nice artwork.

The temple is also called Kinryuzan, meaning Golden Dragon. 金龍山

An unusual time when the giant lantern was removed for repairs. Asakusa looks very strange, almost naked, without the giant lantern.

After passing through the Kaminarimon Gate, this is what you see: Nakamise shopping arcade. When it rains, a canopy is put up.

Nakamise-dori souvenir arcade. One of Japan's most popular and crowded tourist arcades.

In spring, a cherry blossom motif is put up.

At the end of the year and New Year's, auspicious red and white and New Year's decorations are put up.

Nakamise sells all kinds of Japanese things. Originally, they catered to religious pilgrims. Now it's mostly tourists.

Kimono shop

Traditional footwear

Paper umbrellas

Trinkets

Small Kannon statues for 25,000 yen.

Approaching another gate called Hozomon Gate. 宝蔵門

Hozomon Gate ahead. 宝蔵門

Hozomon Gate, means "Treasure Storage Gate." Indeed, the second floor houses important cultural properties. The gate was reconstructed in 1964, a ferroconcrete building.宝蔵門

Being the main gate, Hozomon Gate is much bigger than Kaminarimon Gate, and it also had a giant paper lantern.

Hozomon Gate

Hozomon Gate's giant paper lantern.

Behind Hozomon Gate is a pair of giant straw sandals hanging on the wall.

Giant straw sandal.

Sometimes on the way to Sensoji temple in Asakusa, you might see stalls selling seasonal gifts like the Hozuki Ground Cherry Pod Fair held on July 9th–10th.

Hozuki Ground Cherry Pod Fair held annually on July 9th–10th.

Hozuki Ground Cherry Pod Fair held on July 9th–10th in Asakusa.

Hozuki Ground Cherry Pod Fair held on July 9th–10th.

5-story pagoda reconstructed in 1973, made of ferroconcrete. Roof tiles made of aluminum alloy. 五重塔

Place to buy a omikuji fortune paper.

Hondo worship hall was reconstructed in 1958, made of ferroconcrete. The original Hondo was built in 1649 and a National Treasure until it was destroyed during World War II. 本堂