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Sensoji, also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple, is located in Asakusa in the center of 下町 Shitamachi, downtown people's Tokyo. A legend says that in the year 628, two brothers fished a statue of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, out of the Sumida River. When they put the statue back in the river, it always returned to them. Sensoji was built there to house Kannon. The temple was completed in 645, Tokyo's oldest temple. When approaching the temple, visitors first enter the Kaminarimon. Thunder Gate, the outer gate of the Sensoji and symbol of Asakusa. Nakamise shopping street, running over 200 meters, leads from the outer gate to the temple's second gate, the Hozomon. Numerous Japanese souvenirs such as fans, carvings, yukata, local snacks, like senbei, taiyaki, kibidango - Skewered kibi-balls covered with soybean powder, agemanju - deep fried manju (soft cake with red bean paste filling), ningyoyaki - small cake with red bean paste filling, are sold along Nakamise Dori. Formerly associated with the Tendai sect, it became independent after World War II. Adjacent to the temple is a Shinto shrine, the Asakusa Jinja. Sensoji Temple is a few steps from Asakusa Station, served by the Ginza Subway Line, Asakusa Subway Line and Tobu Railways.

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