The approach to Sensoji, known as Nakamise Dori, is lined with about a hundred shops selling crafts, souvenirs and plenty of sweet and savory snacks. Throughout the year you can come across seasonal events held on the temple grounds. Some of the most popular include Asakusa-jinja Shrine’s Sanja Festival collaboration event in May, the hozuki (Chinese lantern plant) market in July and the photogenic hagoita decorative paddle market in December.

The history of the temple in an interesting one. Legend says that long ago two fisherman on the Miyato River, the current Sumida River, caught a statue of Kannon —the merciful nirvana achiever— in their net. Despite trying to return the figure to the river multiple times it always came back to them, the leader of the region pointed out its Kannon; so it was enshrined. Although Sensoji Temple was founded in 628 the current crimson building is much more modern, as it was rebuilt after being destroyed in WW2.

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