The Kaminarimon, the Thunder Gate
The Kaminarimon is the outer main gate of Senso-ji, the So-mon. Its full name is Furaijinmon, the gate of Fujin and Raijin. Fujin stands for the wind and Raijin for thunder, and both are regarded as protective deities of the temple. From the gate, a path leads along Nakamise-dori to the inner gate, the Hozomon, and on to the main hall.
The gate itself is large. It is 11.7 m high and 11.4 m wide. The great red lantern that hangs in the middle is what most people photograph. You can see the gate from the outside without paying anything.
Two gates, two lanterns
The Kaminarimon and the Hozomon both carry a large lantern. Do not mix them up.
| Kaminarimon | Hozomon | |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Outer gate on the street | Inner gate at the end of Nakamise-dori |
| Present gate built | 1960 | 1964 |
| Gate height and width | 11.7 m and 11.4 m | – |
| Lantern height and width | 3.9 m and 3.3 m | 3.75 m and 2.7 m |
| Lantern weight | About 700 kg | About 450 kg |
| Name | Furaijinmon, the gate of the wind and thunder deities | Also called the Niomon, with guardian figures |
Our picks: tours from Kaminarimon
Two guided walks that lead on to Senso-ji.
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.
Guided walk to Senso-ji Temple
A guided two-hour walk to Senso-ji. The meeting point depends on the option you choose.
Check availability →
Asakusa walk starting at Kaminarimon
Two hours with an English-speaking local guide, starting right at the Kaminarimon gate.
Check availability →Asakusa tours and experiences
Walking tours, food tours and rickshaw rides around Senso-ji, with live prices and availability.
The gate and its lantern in detail
History, details and practical points.
The lantern
The lantern is 3.9 m high, 3.3 m wide and weighs about 700 kg. Its underside carries a carved dragon. The lantern was last replaced in April 2020, the sixth replacement. The year of a replacement is not the year the gate was rebuilt.
A gate that burned and returned
The earlier gate burned down in 1865. The present Kaminarimon was rebuilt in 1960 with a donation from Konosuke Matsushita. For the longer story of the temple, see the history page.
History →The guardian deities
Fujin and Raijin, the wind and thunder deities, are the protective figures linked to the gate. Believers regard them as guardians of the temple.
Photo spot and crowds
The space in front of the lantern is where most visitors stop for a photo, and it fills up. When it is crowded, keep the walkways free so that people can pass. Wheelchair users can pass beside the gate.
At night
The gate is lit every day from sunset until about 23:00, so you can see it after dark even when the main hall is closed.
Opening hours →Next to the gate
The Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center stands opposite the gate. It has a free terrace on the 8th floor, open from 9:00 to 22:00. The rickshaw stand is east of the Kaminarimon on Kaminarimon-dori.
Rickshaw guide →How to reach the Kaminarimon
The gate is a few steps from several Asakusa stations.
Four lines serve a station called Asakusa: the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, the Toei Asakusa Line, the Tobu Skytree Line and the Tsukuba Express. Exit 1 of the Ginza Line is the one for Senso-ji and the Kaminarimon. From Toei exit A4 the walk to the Information Center opposite the gate takes about 2 minutes, from Ginza Line exit 2 about 1 minute and from Tsukuba Express exit A1 about 10 minutes. These times are for the Information Center, not for the main hall. Count on about 5 minutes on foot from the Asakusa stations to the temple. The full list is on the getting there page.
After the gate, the walk continues along the 250 m of Nakamise-dori to the Hozomon, with snacks and souvenirs on the way. For another well-known Tokyo photo spot, Shibuya Crossing has its own guide.
Continue your visit
What comes after the gate.
Kaminarimon: frequently asked questions
What does Kaminarimon mean?
It means Thunder Gate. The full name of the gate is Furaijinmon, after Fujin and Raijin, the deities of wind and thunder.
How big is the Kaminarimon lantern?
It is 3.9 m high and 3.3 m wide and weighs about 700 kg. A dragon is carved on its underside. The Hozomon lantern is smaller, at 3.75 m high, 2.7 m wide and about 450 kg.
Is the Kaminarimon old?
The present gate dates from 1960. The earlier gate burned down in 1865. The lantern was last replaced in April 2020.
Does it cost anything to see the Kaminarimon?
No. Viewing the gate from the outside is free.
Can I see the Kaminarimon at night?
Yes. The gate is lit from sunset until about 23:00, and the street in front of it is open at any hour.