CityBuddy
Senso-ji Temple
Best time to visit
Early morning on weekdays, around 7-8 AM, gives the quietest experience and empty Nakamise for photos; evenings during festival illuminations are atmospheric but much more crowded.
Budget tips
Temple grounds are free to enter; expect to pay about 100-300 JPY for omikuji or incense and 200-800 JPY for street snacks. Use a Tokyo Metro 24-hour pass for cheaper transit and compare prices along Nakamise before buying souvenirs.
Recommended for
History buffs, Photography enthusiasts, Food lovers, Families
Plan your visit
45-90 min
About
Γρήγορα στοιχεία: The scent of incense fills the air as visitors pass through the giant red lantern that welcomes everyone with its vibrant glow. Crowds often gather to try their luck with omikuji, small slips of paper that predict the future and add a sense of anticipation to the peaceful temple grounds.
Κύρια σημεία: Visitors toss coins into a massive incense burner before the main hall to catch fragrant smoke believed to bring health and fortune, with the smoke often billowing thick and sweetly aromatic. A famous story says the temple's large red lantern, weighing nearly 700 kilograms and spanning 3.9 meters wide, has been lovingly rebuilt multiple times since the 7th century using traditional methods that keep ancient craftsmanship alive.
Insider tips
- Wear comfortable shoes, narrow crowded streets and some uneven paving make strolling slower than you expect.
- Stand on the central line of Nakamise facing the main hall for the classic photo with the pagoda framed behind the stalls.
- Arrive at 7-8 AM to see the gate and main hall with far fewer people and to watch morning rituals.
- Skip the first row of souvenir stalls if you want better prices and more authentic food stalls deeper in the side streets.
Κάντε κλικ για να κλείσετε μια ΔΩΡΕΑΝ περιήγηση με τα πόδια στο Tokyo, Japan
Ο καλύτερος τρόπος να ζήσετε μια πόλη με τοπικό ξεναγό.
Tip: We strongly recommend a free walking tour on your first day to get to know the city with a local guide. They usually cover all main attractions and you can ask for personal recommendations based on your interests for the next days. Book early as spaces fill up fast!
Reviews
Reviews (3)
4.0Came at noon and it was packed, long lines to the main hall. I skipped the longer rituals and bought small souvenirs in Nakamise; food stalls are worth the wait.
Visited around 5pm, crowds had eased but incense area still busy. Paid 100 yen for omikuji which was fun, but souvenir prices felt overpriced so I only tried the snacks.
Arrived at 7:30am and had almost no line, perfect for photos. The temple grounds are free, omikuji was a fun 100 yen extra and the street snacks were worth it.
