Sensoji is more commonly known to Singaporeans as Asakusa Kannon Temple. It is a rather well-known Buddhist temple in Toyko and also the oldest. I’ve been here several times before but this time Sensoji’s main hall is under renovation and covered by scaffolding. The works are scheduled to be completed by the end of November 2010. The temple grounds and the interior of the main hall can be visited during the renovation works.
The main entrance to the area is through the Thunder Gate or Kaminarimon. Four statues are housed in the Kaminarimon. On the front of the gate, the statues of the Shinto gods Fūjin and Raijin are displayed. Fūjin, the god of wind, found on the east side of the gate; Raijin, the god of thunder and lightning, is on the west side. At the rear of the gate, you have the Buddhist god Tenryū on the east, and the goddess Kinryū on the west. In the center of the Kaminarimon, hangs a giant red chōchin that is 4m, 3.4m wide and weighs 670 KG.
Before you reach the main temple complex, you’ll walk through Nakamise-dōri which is filled with food stalls and souvenirs! Very interesting place to wander around and pretty yummy snacks too!