What time does Sensoji Temple open?

Admission to the temple grounds and sites is generally free. However, certain areas have different opening and closing times.

Kaminarimon (Kaminari Gate)
Opens: Always open
Admission: Free entry

The Kaminarimon (or Thunder Gate) is the outer of two large entrance gates that ultimately leads to the Senso-ji. The gate, with its lantern and statues, is hugely popular with tourists. It's just under 12 metres tall and 11.5 metres wide. The Kaminarimon was first built in 941 CE by Taira no Kinmasa, a military commander. It was originally located near Komagata but was reconstructed and placed in its current location in 1635. At this time it is believed the statues of Raijin and Fujin were first placed on the gate. The gate has been destroyed many times throughout the ages. Four years after its relocation, the Kaminarimon burned down, and in 1649 Tokugawa Iemitsu rebuilt the gate along with several other of the major structures in the temple complex. The gate burnt to the ground in 1757 and again in 1865. The Kaminarimon's current structure dates from 1960. The Nakamise-dori shopping street leads from Kaminarimon to the Sensoji Temple grounds.

Sensoji Temple
Open: 0600 to 1700. Between October and March, the temple opens at 0630.
Admission: Free entry

Sensoji ('Senso' is an alternative reading for Asakusa and 'ji' means temple) is Tokyo's most famous and popular temple. Built in the 7th century, it is also one of its oldest, although the current buildings are postwar reconstructions.

Asakusa Shrine
Open: Always open
Admission: Free entry

Asakusa Shrine, also known as Sanja-sama, was built during the Edo Period and survived the World War II air raids of 1945. The shrine's festival, the Sanja Matsuri, is one of Tokyo's most spectacular and popular. It is held every year on a weekend in mid May. The next Sanja Matsuri Festival will take place from May 15th, 2020.

Dempoin Temple

The Dempoin Temple and garden are currently no longer open to the public.

Nakamise Shopping Street
Open: dependent on individual shop keepers but usually from 0900 to 1900 daily.

The Nakamise shopping street stretches over approximately 250 meters from Kaminarimon to the main grounds of Sensoji Temple. Nakamise-dori is lined by almost 90 shops, which offer local specialties and the usual array of tourist souvenirs.

Shin-Nakamise Shopping Street
Open: dependent on individual shop keepers but usually from 1000 to 2000 daily.

Shin-Nakamise or "New Nakamise" runs perpendicular to the Nakamise Shopping Street. It is a covered shopping arcade lined by various shops and restaurants.

There may be exceptions to all the above times on holidays such as New Year's Day and during Sanja Matsuri, Tokyo's largest and most popular festival featuring Senso-ji as the focal point. The festival takes place in late spring and sees the surrounding streets closed to traffic throughout the day. The next Sanja Matsuri Festival (2023) will take place from May 19th, 2023 until the 21st.