Kaminarimon Gate

Kaminarimon Gate stands at the entrance of Sensoji Temple and is regarded as one of Asakusa’s most famous landmarks. Inside the gate on either side are protective Buddhist deities in the form of enormous wooden statues, from which the gate acquires its name: Fujin (god of wind) and Raijin (god of thunder). The red paper lantern holds the inscription Kaminarimon ("thunder gate"), and beneath this is a wooden calving of a traditional Japanese dragon. The original gate was built in 942, however, it burnt down several times throughout history. The gate visible today was erected in 1960, donated by a Japanese entrepreneur Konosuki Matsushita.