Senso-ji Hozomon Gate Live Cam

History

The Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo, is the oldest and one of the most significant Buddhist temples in Japan. Its roots trace back to 628 CE, when legend tells of two fishermen who discovered a golden statue of the bodhisattva Kannon, the deity of compassion, in the Sumida River. The statue was enshrined in a modest temple built by the village chief, forming the foundation of what would become Senso-ji.

Over centuries, Senso-ji evolved into a grand religious complex, attracting pilgrims from all over Japan. The temple became particularly important during the Edo period (1603–1868), when the Tokugawa shogunate designated it as a center for public worship. During this time, the area around the temple flourished, with Asakusa developing into a vibrant cultural and commercial hub. Merchants, performers, and artisans set up shop near the temple, creating an enduring legacy of lively street markets and entertainment that persists today.