Asakusa Kannon Temple

The temple is dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of compassion. It has been here since the foundation of the city. Although the buildings have been destroyed several times, they still retain their original appearance because they have been restored authentically after each catastrophe. Examples of this are the main hall and the scarlet pagoda. According to legend the Temple was founded in 628 (or more likely in 645) by three fishermen who had found a statuette of the goddess in their nets when they hauled them. In its honor they founded the Temple.

The main entrance is the Kaminari-mon Gate, with a 10ft (3.3m) high red paper lantern, weighing 220lb (100kg), with an inscription on it meaning "Thunder Gate". The Asakusa Shrine, known as Sanja-sa-me, was founded by Tokugawa Iemitsu (1604-51) in memory of the three fishermen. In the courtyard in front of the main temple stands the famous and much-loved Incense Vat, which is reputed to drive away ailments. Sick people need only to cup their hands around the smoke and apply it to the part of their body, which is unwell.

The temple doves are considered to be Kannon's sacred messengers. Nowadays they also tell fortunes if that is what the visitor desires. With its beak a dove pulls out from a heap of cards the one which foretells the enquirer's future.

Asakusa Kannon Temple is one of the most popular in Tokyo. Accordingly the annual festival of Sanji Matsuri (19 and 20 May) is the largest in the city, others being the Sanno Matsuri at the Hie Shrine and the Kanda Matsuri at the Kanda Myojin Shrine.