Also called Kinryū-zan Sensō-ji 金龍山 浅草寺, it is the oldest and most significant temple in Tokyo. According to legend, this temple started when two fishermen found a statuette of Kannon 觀音 in the Sumida River, and with their village chief, built a small temple to house it in 628. With generous financial support from the Tokugawa Shogunate, the temple expanded on its present site in the 1600s.
Formerly associated with the Buddhist Tendai sect 天台宗, it became independent after WW2 as a national religious site for all Japanese people. Also located here is the Shinto Asakusa Shrine 浅草神社, honoring the 3 founders of the temple. The temple is the site of the Shinto festival of Sanja Matsuri 三社祭, held annually on the third weekend of May, attracting 1.5 to 2 million visitors.

Between its front Thunder Gate and its inner Hozomon Gate is the narrow street of Nakamise-dōri 仲見世通り filled with shops selling snacks and souvenirs.