Early Morning in Asakusa
On our second day, my wife, our two sons, and I rose early to visit Sensoji Temple in Asakusa. The morning was chilly and clear—just 4°C—as we left the hotel before 7:00 AM. We strolled through the tranquil streets on our way to the train station, relishing the rare calm that comes before Tokyo bursts into its hectic routine. These peaceful pre-rush hour moments are ones I deeply appreciate.
Exploring Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Street
Sensoji Temple, a Buddhist temple situated in Asakusa, stands out as one of Tokyo’s most famous and vibrant landmarks. Established in 645, it is recognized as the city’s oldest temple. Its entrance, Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), is an impressive red gate that has become an iconic symbol of Asakusa and Tokyo as a whole. The temple attracts large numbers of visitors from both Japan and abroad.
The approach to Sensoji Temple features Nakamise Street, a 200-meter shopping avenue famed for its traditional souvenirs and Japanese snacks. This street is usually bustling with people, which is why we decided to arrive early. At around 7:30 AM, the area was still quiet because most shops had not opened yet, letting us enjoy a calm walk toward the temple. We also wandered through a side street, where we caught a glimpse of the Tokyo Skytree.
The Temple Grounds and Morning Rituals
As we neared the end of Nakamise Street, we arrived at Hozomon, the second gate leading into the Sensoji Temple grounds. Passing through Hozomon, we found ourselves in front of the main hall of the temple, accompanied by the striking five-story pagoda standing nearby. Despite the early hour, the temple grounds were already coming to life with groups of visitors. Some people paused to take photographs of the beautiful architecture, while others engaged in prayer or gathered around the large brass incense burner in the outer courtyard. Many visitors reached out to catch the rising incense smoke, a ritual believed to bestow blessings and good fortune. Inside the main hall, Buddhist priests moved with purpose, continuously carrying out ceremonies and rituals. Both tourists and worshipers stood in respectful silence, taking in the sacred atmosphere and observing the ongoing religious practices.
Observing Asakusa from Above
After spending approximately one hour at the temple grounds, we proceeded to exit the premises. By this time, the shops along Nakamise Street had opened, attracting an increasing number of visitors. We then visited the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, a contemporary facility designed to assist guests. The center offers complimentary amenities. These include an information desk manned by multi-lingual staff , an exhibition area, and café. There is also an observation deck located on the eighth floor. From this vantage point, we observed a panoramic view encompassing the entire Sensoji Temple complex, from the main gate through to the temple itself. Prominent landmarks such as the Tokyo Skytree, Sumida Bridge, and the Asahi Group head office building—recognisable by its golden flame—were also visible from above. The “Golden Flame” (Flamme d’Or) is a distinctive golden sculpture atop the Asahi Beer Super Dry Hall in Tokyo’s Asakusa district, designed by Philippe Starck.
Strolling Along the Sumida River
After leaving the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, we took a short walk to the Sumida Bridge. From there, we enjoyed a peaceful stroll along the boardwalk that runs beside the Sumida River. As we walked, we paused to take photographs and fully appreciate the scenic views along the riverbank. The experience was both relaxing and visually rewarding, providing a pleasant moment of reflection before we continued on to our next destination.We then walked a few minutes to the Sumida Bridge and the boardwalk around Sumida River to chill and take photos.
2nd half of Day 2 (Akihabara & Ueno) is coming up on the next blog. Stay tuned.
Thank you for visiting. All photos in the blog were taken with the Sony A7C2 + Sony 24-50mm f/2.8G lens. I also used a K&F VND +CPL for these shots. All were shot in jpg and edited via LR Classic.
Please do give a like/thumbs up, and share to your friends to help my blog grow. Thanks and God bless.
Daniel's Lighthouse 