Senso-ji is the oldest religious temple in Tokyo and was built in 628 AD. It is a Buddhist temple and one of Tokyo's most famous landmarks.

It is located in the Asakusa district and is often confused with the small Shinto shrine of Asakusa, which literally stands just a few steps away from the Senso-ji temples.

Read also on our website:

• 👉 O ur tips on where to stay in Tokyo
• 🚇 Tokyo Metro: everything you need to know before visiting

Not only the temple is worth your attention, but don't forget the pagoda standing next to the temple.

Must-see or tourist trap?

Senso-ji is one of the places that I'm not afraid to say suffers from overtourism.

✅ It makes sense to go here if

• you're looking for famous places and instagram spots
• you're a first-time visitor to Tokyo and want to visit the top sights
• you like souvenir shopping (there are a lot of stalls!)

❌ It's not for you if

• you don't like extreme crowds
• you have visited other, bigger and nicer temples in Japan
• you want to experience a more modern and lively Tokyo
  • 👉 Tip for a quieter temple: Shiba Park with Zojo-ji Temple
  • 💜 My favourite temple in Japan: Ginkaku-ji in Kyoto

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Instagram vs. reality: when is the best time to visit?

In many photos, including our preview photo, the grounds of Senso-ji Temple look beautiful and empty.

I guess it goes something like this:

But the reality of a normal day is quite different. Crowds of people:

Personally, I'd head to Senso-ji Temple early in the morning between 7:00 and 9:00 am, when there are still noticeably fewer people.

Free admission anytime

The Senso-ji Temple and Asakusa Shrine complex is open 24/7.

Admission is free.

You cannot enter the temple or shrine interiors directly.

Ideal itinerary with Senso-ji Temple

Since the Asakusa site is not located directly in the center of Tokyo, I would recommend combining your visit with other attractions in the area.

We visited Senso-ji during our first visit to Tokyo. We headed here straight from Haneda airport by direct train to Asakusa station.

After walking through the grounds, we walked (about 20 minutes) through a quiet neighborhood to the Tokyo Skytree, the tallest observation tower in Japan.

If you'll be in Tokyo all day, a visit to Senso-ji can also be ideally combined with the Ueno Park area, which can be reached within 15 minutes by the Ginza Line subway.

You can also use the Ginza Line or the Asakusa Line subway, running from Asakusa Station (about a 5-minute walk from the temple) to get to the city centre.

• 👉 What to skip in Tokyo if you are short on time

All about trains and subways, fares and how to find connections can be found in the Tokyo Metro chapter.

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