description Asakusa Shrine Overview
Asakusa Shrine is a Shinto site located in Tokyo's Asakusa district, adjacent to the Buddhist Senso-ji temple. Established in 1649, it is dedicated to the three men who founded Senso-ji, including two fishermen who retrieved a statue of Kannon from the Sumida River. The main hall is an Important Cultural Property and serves as a rare surviving example of early Edo-period shrine architecture. The complex is the focal point for the Sanja Matsuri, one of Tokyo's largest traditional Shinto festivals, which takes place annually in late spring.
help Asakusa Shrine FAQ
Why is Asakusa Shrine next to the Buddhist Senso-ji temple?
The shrine honors the three men traditionally credited with founding Senso-ji, including the brothers who found a Kannon image in the Sumida River. Their Shinto enshrinement stands beside the Buddhist temple that developed around that image.
Who is worshipped at Asakusa Shrine?
The shrine is dedicated to Hinokuma Hamanari, Hinokuma Takenari, and Haji no Nakatomo. For that reason, it is also known as Sanja-sama, referring to the three deities.
What is the connection between Asakusa Shrine and Sanja Matsuri?
Asakusa Shrine is the home shrine of Sanja Matsuri, one of Tokyo's best-known Shinto festivals. The festival brings portable mikoshi shrines through the streets of Asakusa.
Did Asakusa Shrine survive the bombing of Tokyo?
Its main shrine building, constructed in 1649 under Tokugawa Iemitsu, survived the air raids that destroyed much of the surrounding district during World War II. It is therefore an important surviving example of early Edo-period shrine architecture.
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