Senso-ji Temple, also called Asakusa Kannon Temple, is the oldest temple in Edo. This Buddhist temple is dedicated to the bodhisattva Kannon, the goddess of mercy and happiness who has the ability to alleviate human suffering.

According to legend, two seventh century fishermen on the Sumida River pulled in their nets one day and among the fish, found a tiny golden statue of Kannon. Even though the pair tried repeatedly to return their find to the river, it kept turning up in their nets again and again. The chief of their village understood the message and gave up his own house in Asakusa to make a small shrine to the goddess.

The temple to Kannon was completed in 645 and ever since has been a destination of pilgrims who come to worship and petition the goddess. The Kaminari-mon or Thunder Gate opens into the Nakamise-dori arcade, where shops cater to the visitors. This gate is flanked by statues of guardian kings and crowned with a huge red and black paper lantern, which symbolizes lightening and thunderclouds. At the end of the street, the Hozomon gate leads into a walkway which terminates at the steps up to the main hall, the Kannon Hondo, in which the original golden statue is kept, though it is not on public display.

Near the Kannon Hondo is a five story pagoda which has galleries on each of its four sides. Fifty-three meters tall, it was built in 942. Inside the temple is a garden for contemplation, and a park borders the temple buildings.








sources:
Sensoji Temple (includes a map of the temple complex)
Frommers-Sensoji Temple

photos:
Senso-ji Temple entry by Tom Page
Senso-ji Temple by kalavinka
Senso-ji Gardens by Andy McDowall
Senso-ji Temple Roof by Andy McDowall
Senso-ji Pagoda by Chuck
Senso-ji Temple detail by kalavinka
Senso-ji Temple at night by Clancy Mason