Sensô-ji in the city of Asakusa is one of the largest and most famous temple complexes in the Tokyo area both as a historical site but also as a spiritual site. Also referred to as "Kinryû-san" or the Mountain of the Golden Dragon, Sensô-ji has been a spiritually important location in the Kanto plain even before the warrior governments who founded early Tokyo of later years would even exist. The story goes that in 618 two fishermen were fishing in the Sumidagawa River when they pulled up a wooden statue of Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. After the local dignitary heard of this, he declared that it was a great omen and transformed his own house into the home of the sacred statue. Over the years, the temple received greater and greater patronage prompting the temple to grow from a single building to a complex with multiple halls and divine gates. It is said that in 645, renowned monk Shokai Shonin said that it would be best if the statue of Kannon was hidden from human view, and it has remained so ever since.

For casual visitors: 10. For educated visitors: 10.

Sensô-ji is a must see when visiting Tokyo. Though it caters heavily to tourists, there are still many many fun things to do there. Good restaurants are around every corner and one might even be able to spot the occasional Sumo wrestler getting food. Shopping in the area ranges from the most obvious of tourist souvenirs to some of the more glamorous items including yukata summer gowns, swords, fans, furoshiki decorative cloth for wrapping, and so much more. The Kaminarimon (Lighting Gate) is the first gate of the complex and houses the guardian deities Agyô and Ngyô in the form of Fûjin (Wind God) and Raijin (Lighting God). To the north of the temple visitors can roam through Tokyo's Geisha district, though don't be surprised if you don't catch a glimpse of them; they have many years of practice avoiding the sites of anxious tourists. East is Sumida Park, Tokyo Skytree Tower, and the Asahi Beer HQ. If visiting in early summer, try to go to the Sanja Matsuri which closes down the streets of Asakusa and gets filled with portable shrines, singers, dancers, and lots of game/food booths.

"Senso-ji | About Senso-ji." Senso-ji | About Senso-ji. Accessed September 28, 2015. http://www.senso-ji.jp/about/index_e.html.