Tokyo | The Thousand-Year-Old Senso-ji Temple Rebuilt 20 Times

If you've been to Tokyo, chances are you've visited Senso-ji Temple. This ancient temple, established in 628 AD, has endured wars and fires, leading to its reconstruction a total of 20 times. The story begins at the Sumida River, where fishermen found a Buddha statue in Tokyo Bay. They brought it back to their village and showed it to the most knowledgeable local scholar, Haji no Nakatomo. Upon examination, he identified it as a statue of Kannon Bodhisattva. Believing this to be a divine sign, Haji no Nakatomo converted to Buddhism and enshrined the statue in his home. As more villagers came to worship, the site eventually evolved into Senso-ji Temple. Over 200 years later, in the first year of the Ten'an era, the monk Jikaku Daishi from Enryaku-ji Temple created a substitute statue for public worship, while the original statue remained hidden. From then on, Senso-ji became a sacred religious site. Despite enduring earthquakes, fires, and the Tokyo air raids, this spiritual pillar of Tokyo has been rebuilt time and again through public donations. The current structure is the result of its 20th reconstruction. Every year on the third weekend of May, the Sanja Matsuri festival, hosted by Asakusa Shrine, takes place with great fanfare. During the festival, the iconic 700-kilogram red lantern at Kaminarimon Gate is partially rolled up to allow the mikoshi (portable shrines) to pass through the 250-meter-long Nakamise Street and enter Senso-ji Temple. Legend has it that Kannon appeared in a dream, instructing the brothers who found the statue and Haji no Nakatomo to build a shrine for worship. This led to the establishment of Asakusa Shrine. During the Sanja Matsuri, the mikoshi enters Senso-ji Temple, symbolizing a joyful reunion of the deities. The temple and its surroundings come alive with numerous stalls and activities, creating a carnival-like atmosphere. 📍 Address: 〒111-0032 Tokyo, Taito City, Asakusa 2-3-1 🚗 Access: From Ginza Line Asakusa Station, Exit 1, it's a 5-minute walk.