If you don't like crowds and want to enjoy Sensoji Temple, go see it lit up at night!

Chimon
2018.09.18
Last updated: 2022.03.15

table of contents

1 What is Sensoji Temple?
2 If you want to go to Sensoji Temple, we recommend visiting at night! Explain the reason!
- 2.1 Beautifully lit up!
- 2.2 Nakamise shutter mural “Asakusa Emaki”
3 If you don't like crowds, we recommend going at night.
- 3.1 Sensoji Temple＜Information＞

Speaking of sightseeing in Asakusa, Tokyo, Sensoji Temple is a must-see.
There are many sights to see, such as the huge Kaminarimon gate, the ○ju tower, and the Nakamise shopping street.
Recently, it has become a great vantage point to view the Sky Tree from below, so it is always crowded with tourists.

Yes, it's always crowded!
For people who don't like crowds or get motion sickness, being crowded with tourists is not a good idea.
It can't be helped that some people ignore it even though it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Tokyo.

However, it would be a waste not to visit Sensoji Temple after coming to Tokyo!
So, this time we will introduce another side of Sensoji that can only be enjoyed by people who don't like crowds!

What is Sensoji Temple?

For those who don't know about Sensoji Temple, I will explain it to you.
Sensoji Temple is a Kannon sacred place with a history of nearly 1400 years.

Even if you don't know the name of Sensoji Temple, you've probably seen the gate with a giant red lantern that says Kaminarimon at least once.
Officially named ``Furaijinmon'', it is the main gate of Sensoji Temple, with the gods of Wind and Thunder enshrined on the left and right sides of the gate.

Once you pass through Kaminarimon, you will see Nakamise.
Sensoji Temple has a 250m long Omotesando from Kaminarimon to Hozomon, and there are red-painted shops lined up on both sides of the approach.
This is Nakamise Shopping Street, one of the oldest shopping streets in Japan.
It is extremely lively, and people from Japan and abroad visit it every day.

The next thing you will see is Hozomon.
In the past, it was also called Niomon because there were Nio statues enshrined at both ends.
It was named Hozomon because it housed scriptures and temple treasures when it was rebuilt after being destroyed in the Tokyo air raids.

And the main hall.
This hall is also called Kannon-do because it enshrines Sho Kanzeon Bodhisattva.

After seeing this far, you can say that you have visited Sensoji Temple for the first time.
There are many other points of interest to see, such as the five-storied pagoda, Eikodo, Yakushido, Awashimado, and Denpoin.
However, as it is said to be one of Japan's leading tourist destinations, there are a lot of people everywhere.
This is not a good idea for people who don't like crowds.
What should such people do to enjoy Sensoji Temple?

If you want to go to Sensoji Temple, we recommend visiting at night! Explain the reason!

Earlier I wrote that Sensoji Temple is ``always'' crowded with tourists, but this is actually a misnomer.
I used the word ``always'' to mean ``every day.''
In fact, there are times when Sensoji Temple is not crowded.
It's "night".

It was a night when the Nakamise shopping district was closed and the main hall was also closed.
Tourists also don't like to flock there because they think there's nothing to see.
However, there are actually many interesting sights to see at Sensoji Temple at night that cannot be seen during the day!

Beautifully lit up!

One of the highlights of Sensoji Temple at night is the illumination.
As part of the 400th anniversary of the founding of Edo, the Sensoji Temple light-up event began on October 1, 2003.

When Sensoji Temple is lit up at night, the main hall, Kaminarimon gate, five-storied pagoda, and Hozomon gate are illuminated.
This photo of Hozomon and the five-storied pagoda together is especially impressive.
Don't forget to capture it on camera!

Also, although it is not related to Sensoji Temple, the Sky Tree that can be seen from Sensoji Temple is also beautifully illuminated, so we recommend checking that out as well!

Nakamise shutter mural “Asakusa Emaki”

Nakamise Street isn't just about business hours.
In fact, after you close the shutter, it reveals a different charm.
That is the Nakamise shutter mural “Asakusa Emaki.”

"Asakusa Emaki" is the night face of Nakamise Street, completed in 1989.
The murals, painted by distinguished members under the supervision of Professor Hirayama and Assistant Professor Fukui of Tokyo University of the Arts, are a feast for the eyes of visitors.

A 400m long mural depicting Asakusa's history and seasonal events.
It will become a symbol of Japanese culture and will become one of the legacies of Sensoji Temple that we want to preserve for the future.