Asakusa Shrine
浅草神社 · Asakusa
Shinto shrine in Tokyo, Japan
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation2:14
Welcome to Asakusa Shrine, a place where the history of Tokyo’s oldest district is preserved in quiet, vermillion-accented dignity. While most visitors flock to the adjacent Sensoji Temple, this Shinto shrine offers a profound…
Listen in the app2The Torii Gate: Entering Sacred Ground1:50
As we approach the entrance to Asakusa Shrine, we pass through a stone torii gate. In the Shinto tradition, this structure serves as a gateway, marking the transition from the secular world into the sacred space of the kami, or…
Listen in the app3The Chozuya: The Ritual of Purification1:50
To your left, you will find the Chozuya, or purification pavilion. This small, roofed structure housing a water basin is an essential stop for anyone wishing to pray at the shrine. …
Listen in the app4The Honden: Sanctuary of the Three Spirits1:58
We now stand before the Honden, the main hall of Asakusa Shrine. This architectural gem was constructed in 1649 by order of the third Tokugawa Shogun, Iemitsu. …
Listen in the app5The Ema and Omikuji: Hopes and Fortunes1:48
Near the main hall, you will see racks filled with small wooden plaques known as 'ema' and white slips of paper tied to wires. These are the physical manifestations of the visitors' hopes, dreams, and anxieties. …
Listen in the app6The Sanja Matsuri and the Mikoshi1:50
As we move toward the side of the precinct, we find a building that houses the 'mikoshi,' or portable shrines. These are not mere parade floats; in the Shinto worldview, a mikoshi is a temporary vessel for the deity's spirit. …
Listen in the app7The Sacred Tree and the Komainu Guardians1:50
As we begin to conclude our exploration of the shrine grounds, take a moment to observe the 'komainu' or lion-dog statues guarding the entrance to the inner sanctuary. These mythical creatures always come in pairs. …
Listen in the app8Closing1:51
As we prepare to leave Asakusa Shrine, it is customary to turn back at the torii gate and offer one final bow of gratitude. We have explored the legends of the three founders—Hamanari, Takenari, and Nakatomo—and seen how their…
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What is Asakusa Shrine?
Asakusa Shrine is a place in Asakusa with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Asakusa |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Total length | 15 min 11 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 35.7151, 139.7974 |
| Last updated |
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