Sensō-ji

Structures in the temple complex include the main hall, a five-story pagoda and large gates.

[1][2] The temple was destroyed during a 10 March 1945 firebombing air raid on Tokyo during World War II.

[7] During World War II, the temple was destroyed during the 10 March 1945 firebombing air raid on Tokyo.

[citation needed] The temple now has a titanium tiled roof that maintains a historic image but is stronger and lighter.

A bronze plaque on the gateway structure listed those who contributed to the construction of the torii, which was erected in 1727 (Kyōhō 12, 11th month).

This imposing Buddhist structure features a massive paper lantern dramatically painted in vivid red-and-black tones to suggest thunderclouds and lightning.

Nakamise-Dori, the street leading from the Thunder Gate to the temple itself, is lined with small shops selling souvenirs ranging from fans, ukiyo-e (woodblock prints), kimono and other robes, Buddhist scrolls, traditional sweets, to Godzilla toys, t-shirts and mobile phone straps.

For a suggested donation of 100 yen, visitors may consult the oracle and divine answers to their questions.

Querents shake labelled sticks from enclosed metal containers and read the corresponding answers they retrieve from one of 100 possible drawers.

[citation needed] Within the temple is a quiet contemplative garden kept in the distinctive Japanese style.

Four years after its relocation, the Kaminarimon burned down, and in 1649 AD Tokugawa Iemitsu rebuilt the gate along with several other of the major structures in the temple complex.

The original sculptures were severely damaged in the fire of 1865, with only the heads being saved, and the statues restored for the gate's 1960 reconstruction.

[17] Two additional statues stand on the reverse of the gate: the Buddhist god Tenryū on the east, and the goddess Kinryū on the west side.

These were donated in 1978 to commemorate the 1350th anniversary of the first appearance of the bodhisattva Kannon (Avalokiteśvara) at Asakusa, which led to the founding of Sensō-ji.

The characters 金龍山 (Kinryū-zan) on the tablet above the lantern read from right to left and reference the Sensō-ji.

[19] Since the gate was reconstructed using flame-resistant materials, the upper story of the Hōzōmon stores the Sensō-ji's treasured sutras.

[19] On either side of the chōchin hangs five 2.75 metres (9.0 ft) tall copper tōrō weighing approximately 1,000 kilograms (2,200 lb) each.

It is said to have come about in the early 12th century, when neighbors of Sensō-ji were granted permission to set up shops on the approach to the temple.

Colored print of Sensō-ji temple, by Aōdō Denzen (亜欧堂田善), circa 1809
The green-roofed shops of Nakamise-dōri leading to the temple
Kaminarimon. A statue of Fūjin stands on the right and that of Raijin on the left.
The wooden carving of a dragon on the bottom of the great red lantern on the Kaminarimon
The south face of the Hōzōmon
The gate's north face
One of the Niō statues that stand on either side of the gate's south face
Nakamise-dōri at night
Nakamise-dōri under the state of emergency for coronavirus pandemic in 2020