Tokyo's oldest temple, reached through a giant red lantern and a street of snack stalls. At 7am you share it with monks; by 10am with ten thousand people.
Senso-ji was founded in 645, which makes it Tokyo's oldest temple. You approach through the Kaminarimon, the Thunder Gate, under its giant red lantern.
Beyond it, Nakamise runs to the inner gate, lined with stalls selling rice crackers, sweet buns and souvenirs.
The grounds never close, and the main hall opens at 6am. At 7am you share the incense cauldron with a few monks and photographers; by 10am there are about 10,000 people.
Draw an omikuji fortune; if it's a bad one, tie it to the rack and leave the bad luck behind.
Start early, finish by the river.
The red lantern with the street still empty.
Shutters go up from about 9am; come back later for snacks.
Waft the smoke over yourself, then draw an omikuji.
Wander west to the kitchen-supply street of knives and plastic food.
End on the riverbank looking across to the tower.
Asakusa station on the Ginza and Asakusa lines, a few minutes from the gate.
Omikuji cost a small donation; instructions are in English.
