Exploring Sensō-ji Temple in Tokyo: A Cultural Experience

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Sensō-ji Temple: A cultural highlight

A truly memorable experience of our recent trip to Tokyo was exploring the incredible Sensō-ji Temple. One of the most fun and unique ways to experience the temple is to hire a kimono before heading to the temple grounds. This is popular among Japanese and foreign tourists alike. We chose the Asakusa Kimono Experience, which we booked through Klook.

Choosing the Perfect Kimono

When we arrived, we were greeted by a wide array of beautiful kimonos to choose from. It was like stepping into a bridal boutique, trying on different dresses to find the perfect one. The colors, patterns, and intricate designs were simply stunning. We decided to upgrade from the basic kimonos and accessories, so be aware there may be a few add-on costs after the initial hire fee if you decide to do this too.

We were then taken to the dressing room where the real transformation began. The staff expertly wrapped us tightly in so many layers to create a traditional silhouette. It was a bit challenging to breathe-in fully, but it added to the authenticity of the experience. We also had our hair done to a style of our choosing and to complete the ensemble, we were provided with fancy toe socks and thongs. Overall the outfit is pretty uncomfortable but we sure did look the part!

Exploring Sensō-ji Temple

Once trussed into our Kimonos and accessorized, we tottered over to Sensō-ji Temple, Tokyo's oldest temple. As we walked through the colorful streets of Asakusa, we couldn't help but feel like we had traveled back in time, and despite being the most visited temple in the world, it didn't feel overly crowded. We added a photo shoot to our package and it was really fun posing with parasols and samurai swords. Our photographer was lovely and also doubled as our tour guide for the afternoon.

Indulging in Asakusa's Delights

Be sure you try some melon bread at the popular Asakusa Kagetsudo Melon Bread Shop while you're there. The most popular filling is matcha ice-cream, although we opted to have it plain as we didn't want to spoil our beautiful kimonos. The melon bread is sweet, a little crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside...yum!

Nakamise-Dori Street

Just a short walk from the temple is Nakamise-Dori street, a famous 250 meter shopping strip known for its delectable food offerings and artesans. You'll find an array of interesting street foods and sweet treats and it's also a treasure trove of unique shops and souvenirs.

This was an incredible experience that we will never forget, we were able to connect with the past of other culture, explore a historic site and sample the local street food. Epic!