3 Highly Recommended Temples and Shrine to visit in Asakusa

Asakusa is a very popular tourist spot for overseas travelers!
Along Nakamise Dori, near the historic Sensoji Temple, there are traditional handicrafts and food stalls known as “yatai” and many people visit the area for sightseeing.
We want to introduce three highly recommended shrines and temples in Asakusa.
 

 

Sensoji

When we think of Asakusa, the first thing that comes to mind may be “Sensoji.”
It is a famous destination that represents Tokyo such as Nakamise Street and Kaminarimon.
 

 
The photo here shows what it’s like to pass through Kaminarimon and walkdown Nakamise Street. Nakamise Street is said to be one of the oldest shopping streets in Japan.
It was reconstructed after being destroyed by the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 and burnt down in the war in 1945.
Nakamise Street is lined up with a variety of shops, including souvenir shops and food stands that you can enjoy while walking.
With its cobblestone streets, beautiful illuminations, lanterns that bring out festive feelings, with people walking around with their traditional Japanese kimono. It is a street you’ll enjoy just walking around and “Sensoji Temple” is about 250 meters away.
 

 
Sensoji Temple has a history of nearly 1400 years.
During the Asuka period, in the 36th year of Emperor Suiko, a statue of the Bodhisattva Sho Kanzeon, the principal image of Sensoji Temple, was discovered in the Miyato River (present-day Sumida River).
Sensoji Temple is said to be a place where all wishes come true.
 
Often When you visit a shrine or a temple, a lot of people tend to think that if you have a wish that it helps you grant your wish but people often visit the temples for a different reason. The most common reason is that they thank the gods for being able to spend their days peacefully with their family. People often visit shrines or temples and pray so that the God’s can cheer them on and protect them through their daily lives.
If you have a chance to go up to the temple or a shrine and make a wish but don’t have one, you can just be thankful.
 

 
If you come to “Sensoji” you should try the “Omikuji” . It is a luck charm that ranks from Daikichi (Great Fortune), Chukichi (Moderate Prosperity),Shokichi(Slight Prosperity),Kichi (Prosperity), Suekichi(Limited Prosperity), Kyou(Adversity), Daikyou(Great Adversity).
The best one to get is the Daikichi. The one that is considered the worst to get is the Daikyou.
Although there are no Daikyou in “Sensoji” it is said that a large percentage of the fortunes are unlucky. It is also said that some shrines and temples have a large number of lucky fortunes in their omikuji but “Sensoji Temple” has not changed the amount since the beginning of its omikuji.
The distribution is 30% Kyou(Adversity), 17% Daikichi(Great Fortune), 35% KIchi( Prosperity), 5% Hankichi (Half luck) , 4% Shokichi(Slight Prosperity), 3% Sueshokichi (Little Fortune) 6% Suekichi (Limited Prosperity).
 

 
I also tried to pull the omikuji and as expected, I got Kyou.
If I get a Kyou(Bad luck) now, it is only going to get better from here! That’s the positive mindset I am going to have.
Pulling an omikuji as if it is some sort of mini game is quite fun too.

There are many rickshaws stopped near the “Sensoji.” and there are services where you can ride a rickshaw and tour shrines and tourists. We highly recommend going on a rickshaw also known as “Jinrikisha.” We guarantee this will be a fun experience to try out.
Rickshaws seat two people and can be used by just one person. Prices vary depending on the number of people and time, and each company has a different pricing, so please check carefully before using.
The average price is around 4,000 yen for 1 person and 5,000 yen for 2 people for about 10 minutes.
*We do not accept inquiries regarding the use of rickshaws as we are not affiliated with Sensoji Temple*
 
Sensoji Temple
2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-3842-0181
(Telephone inquiries are available from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding Sundays and holidays)
https://www.senso-ji.jp/
 

Matsuchiyama Shoten

The area around Asakusa Station is very lively, but it is located in a relatively calm area about 10 minutes walk from the station.
The official name of Mt.Matsuchiyama Shoten is Honryuin.
It is said to have been built in the 7th century.

 
This image is of Daisho Kangiten (Shoten).
The main feature of this item is its symbol of radish and a little purse known as “kinchaku” Symbols of radish and kinchaku can be seen throughout the shrine grounds.
The radish represents mental and physical health and marital harmony, and the pouch represents treasure and prosperous business, which clearly represents the blessings of God Seiten.
 

 
Daikon radish is sold at the shop to be offered to the main shrine.
Offering daikon radish is quite rare even in Japan.
After purchasing daikon radish here, you can go inside the main shrine and make an offering.
 

What will happen to the radish that has been offered?
Here, the daikon radish that was offered the day before is given away for free as “hand-me-down radish”, with a limit of one radish per person.
Radishes that are marked with food coloring as “offering” are safe to take home.
It is said that by eating hand-me-down daikon radish, you can receive divine virtue (benefits) from Daisho Kangiten (Shoten-sama).
 

 
Matsuchiyama Shoten
7-4-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-3874-2030
Main hall opening hours:
April 1st – September 30th 6:00-16:30
October 1st – March 31st 6:30-16:30
http://www.matsuchiyama.jp/
 

Imado Shrine

It’s about a 5-minute walk from Matsuchiyama Shoten mentioned earlier , and about a 15-minute walk from Asakusa Station.
It enshrines the couple gods Izanagi no Mikoto and Izanami no Mikoto, who appear in the Kojiki, a historical book that includes Japanese mythology.
Since he was the first married couple in Japan and is considered the god of marriage, people believe that it will bring good luck in matchmaking when finding a partner.
 

 
There is a cat statue made of stone in front of the left of the main shrine. It is called “Stone petting cat.”
The couple’s beckoning cats are named “Nagi-chan” and “Nami-chan” after the deified deities Izanagi no Mikoto and Izanami no Mikoto, and they bring good fortune when stroked. It is said that your wish will come true if you give it to me and put it on your standby screen.
 

 
It is also said that there is a white cat called Nami-chan who is the mascot of this shrine, and it is said that meeting her will bring you happiness.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t meet you that day.
When you visit Imado Shrine, you may be able to find Nami-chan the white cat,
 
Imado Shrine
1-5-22 Imado, Taito-ku, Tokyo
TEL:03-3872-2703
Office hours: 9:00-16:00
https://imadojinja1063.crayonsite.net/