This is the oldest temple in Tokyo, and it is beautiful to look at. There are a lot of street stalls selling food and souvenirs leading up to the temple. So, he sure to check them out as well. My friend and I visited on a rainy day, so the crowds weren't too bad. We also went on a free night tour offered by the Tokyo Tourism Board and explored the temple some more, and we were given some of the history. Nighttime is a great time to visit because it is quiet and tranquil, and all the crowds are gone. I'd recommend visiting then if you want to avoid crowds.
The senso-ji temple is very beautiful. Especially due to the street vendors in front of the temple. It really brings a colorful and vibrant environment to the place. You will find numerous souvenirs such as fridge magnets, post cards, maneki neko cat, and varieties of food. Try exploring the restaurants located in the branches of the main road. There are quite good ramen shops situated over there in the 1000-2000 range.
Great sights and photo opportunities. Definitely a must when visiting Tokyo, and even during peak hours with lots of visitors, you can always find great photo compositions, things to do and food to try.
Upon arrival, I went first to the tourism/visitors building across the street, since one can go to a high floor to see the temple and preceding vendor streets in their true dimension.
The temple is very beautiful, it's very crowded in the day, but at night it's very nice. The shrine itself is very beautiful and the whole temple is definitely a necessity in Tokyo. You should absolutely visit it. The only thing I have to say ,is that it's very commercialized as there are too many shops that have nothing to do with the temple.
Senso-ji is truly an extraordinary place to visit. The atmosphere, the architecture, and the history all come together to make it one of Tokyo’s most iconic landmarks. It’s also incredibly photogenic, with stunning photo ops from the giant lantern gate to the inner temple grounds.
I went twice — once very early in the morning, and once later. The difference was night and day. In the early hours, it was quiet, peaceful, and nearly empty, which made for a really special experience (and great photos). When I returned later, it was completely packed — people were lined up just to take pictures at the entrance.
There’s no entrance fee, which makes it easy to pop in, even on a tight itinerary. Overall, it’s a must-visit in Tokyo — just be sure to go early if you want to really enjoy it.
