To see Japanese ancient Shinto and Buddhist artifacts and beautiful architecture, visit some of Tokyoís many temples. Temples may store and display sacred Buddhist objects. Many of the temples have a main hall, where sacred objects and statues are displayed. Lecture halls are for meetings while the pagodas were built to store the remains of the Buddha. The elaborate gates show that you are entering temple grounds.

Sensoji or Asakusa Kannon Temple

Visitors approach Sensoji through the Kaminarimon, or Thunder Gate, one of the most popular sights of traditional Tokyo. The temple consists of a main building and a five storied pagoda. The Asakusa shrine, built in 1649, can also be found here. Built for the goddess of mercy, Kannon, Sensoji (this oldest temple in Tokyo) was completed in 645. Legend says that two brothers finished the statue of Kannon in 628. Even though they kept putting this statue back in the Sumida river, it always returned to them.

Many festivals are held at this temple annually. In Shinto festivals, the kami, or god, is carried through the streets by people in traditional dress. Following are decorated floats, some carrying drummers, flutist, and other traditional Japanese musicians . Sanja Matsuri is a major festival celebrated each May. The Asakusa Samba Carnival occurs each August. Tokyo Jidai Matsuri is a November festival of the Edo culture and history of Japan.

Zojoji Temple

Built in the year 1393 and moved to Tokyo in 1598, this temple can be found adjacent to the Tokyo Tower. The main temple of the Buddhist Jodo sect, the temple has now become a mausoleum of the Tokugawa family. The main gate is the Sangedatsumon, constructed in 1605 in the Chinese Tang Dynasty style.