Senso-ji at a glance
Senso-ji is a Buddhist temple in Asakusa, in Taito ward, Tokyo. Its full name is Kinryuzan Senso-ji, and the main object of worship is Sho Kanzeon Bosatsu, better known as Kannon, the bodhisattva of compassion. The address is 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0032. A regular visit costs nothing.
Most people arrive through the Kaminarimon gate, walk along the shopping street Nakamise-dori, pass the Hozomon gate and reach the main hall. The five-story pagoda stands south-west of the hall. Right beside the temple is Asakusa Shrine, a separate Shinto shrine.
This guide is independent. It is not run by the temple, the shrine, the district or any tour company. Prices are in Japanese yen (JPY), as listed in 2026, and they change.
Prices at a glance in 2026
The temple is free. These are the extras people usually pay for in Asakusa.
| What | Price in 2026 | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Temple entry | Free | Special openings of some areas, such as the Denboin garden, are sold separately |
| Free guided walk | Free | About 90 minutes; check the calendar |
| Omikuji fortune slip | About JPY 100 | Check the price at the stand |
| Rickshaw | From JPY 4,000 per vehicle | 12 minutes with 1 adult; longer rides cost more |
| Kimono rental | JPY 4,500 for the basic plan | Tax included, no hairstyle service |
| Water bus to Hinode | JPY 1,000 for adults | One way, about 40 minutes |
| Tokyo Skytree, Tembo Deck | JPY 1,800–3,600 for adults | The price depends on the day |
Our picks: Asakusa and Senso-ji tours
A guided walk, a food tour and a kimono rental in Asakusa.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Asakusa food walk with 12 dishes
Twelve Japanese dishes and two drinks on a 2.5-hour walk in English. Hotel pickup is not included.
Check availability →
Kimono rental with hair styling
Kimono rental with dressing, hair styling with borrowed accessories and luggage storage. Food and drinks are extra.
Check availability →
Two-hour walk through Asakusa and Senso-ji
Two hours with a guide through Asakusa, Senso-ji and Nakamise. Tips are not included.
Check availability →Tours and experiences in Asakusa
Walking tours, food tours, rickshaw rides and more around Senso-ji, with live prices and availability.
Plan your visit
Everything on this site, page by page.
Asakusa tours compared
Free walks, a paid food tour, rickshaws and boats: what each one covers.
Opening hours
Grounds, main hall, lighting after dark and the shops.
Kaminarimon
The Thunder Gate, its giant lantern and how it was rebuilt.
Nakamise-dori
The 250 m approach to the Hozomon, its shops and snacks.
Omikuji
How to draw a fortune and what to do with a bad one.
Temple etiquette
Washing, incense, praying and photos.
History
The legend of 628, the war damage and the rebuilt halls.
Sanja Matsuri
The May festival and its 2027 dates, plus the other yearly events.
Around the temple
Activities, neighboring sights and practical pages.
Kimono rental
Plans, prices and return times for an optional day in a kimono.
Rickshaw rides
Prices by duration, per vehicle.
Things to do in Asakusa
Twelve ideas around the temple, from Kappabashi to the river.
Tokyo Skytree
2026 ticket prices and the walk from the temple.
Getting there
Lines, exits, airport times, the water bus and parking.
Where to stay
Asakusa or Ueno: which area fits your plans.
Good to know before you go
Where older guides are out of date.
The grounds and the main hall have different hours
The grounds can be entered at any hour. The main hall is open from 6:00 to 17:00 from April to September and from 6:30 to 17:00 from October to March. After dark you can walk the grounds, but you cannot go inside the hall.
Opening hours →No general entry ticket
You do not need to book a regular visit. Occasional special openings of areas such as the Denboin garden are paid separately and are not a ticket to the temple itself.
Parking costs more since April 2025
The temple has no car park of its own. The Kaminarimon underground garage reopened on 16 September 2026. It charges JPY 400 for the first 30 minutes, then JPY 200 for each 15 minutes. The older rates of JPY 200 and JPY 100 no longer apply.
Getting there →Skytree prices changed on 1 April 2026
Prices now depend on the day instead of a fixed weekday and holiday grid. Adults pay from age 15. A ticket bought on site costs JPY 500 more.
Tokyo Skytree →Sanja Matsuri 2027
The festival is announced for Friday to Sunday, 14–16 May 2027. Programs can change, so check the current plan before you travel.
Festival dates →Eat at the shop, not on the move
On Nakamise-dori, buy your snack, then stay by the shop to eat it. Ask the staff where that is.
Nakamise-dori →Beyond Asakusa
One of Tokyo's other well-known places has its own guide.
Shibuya, with its famous crossing and city views, is on the other side of Tokyo. Shibuya Crossing covers it in detail. This site stays with Senso-ji, Asakusa and the places you can reach from them, such as the Sumida river and the Tokyo Skytree.
More independent guides to Tokyo
Separate guides from the same team, each focused on one part of Tokyo.
Senso-ji: frequently asked questions
Is Senso-ji free to enter?
Yes. A regular visit is free, and there are no different tickets for adults, children or seniors. Paid extras exist, such as guided tours, omikuji slips and occasional special openings, but they are separate from the temple visit.
Can I visit Senso-ji at night?
You can walk the grounds at any hour. The main hall is open from 6:00 to 17:00 from April to September and from 6:30 to 17:00 from October to March. The hall, the pagoda, the Hozomon and the Kaminarimon are lit from sunset until about 23:00. See the opening hours page.
How do I get to Senso-ji?
Four lines serve a station called Asakusa: Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Toei Asakusa Line, Tobu Skytree Line and the Tsukuba Express. The walk to the temple takes about 5 minutes. From Tokyo Station it is about 20 minutes to Asakusa by train. Details are on the getting there page.
How long should I plan for a visit?
The walk from the Kaminarimon to the main hall is short, with Nakamise-dori about 250 m long. Add time for the shops, the incense burner, a fortune slip and the pagoda. Many people combine it with a rickshaw ride or a walk to the Sumida river. See things to do in Asakusa.
What is the difference between the Kaminarimon and the Hozomon?
The Kaminarimon is the outer gate on the street. The Hozomon is the inner gate at the end of Nakamise-dori. Their lanterns are different: the Kaminarimon lantern is about 3.9 m high, the Hozomon lantern about 3.75 m. More on the Kaminarimon page.
Is sensojitemple.org the official website of the temple?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to Senso-ji, Asakusa Shrine, Taito City, the Tokyo Skytree or any tour operator, rental shop or hotel.