hozomon gate asakusa tokyo

right at the end of Nakamise-dori shops is the huge inner gate called Hozomon gate which is larger than the outer gate of Kaminarimon. in fact this is the largest gate i've seen so far with two floors and three compartments not open to public.it is believed to be holding Senso-ji's treasures thus having the name Hozomon also known as the "Treasure-House Gate". like most of the structures in Tokyo, this was rebuilt after it was destroyed during the war but was originally built in 942AD.since it holds some of the most important treasures and was destroyed several times, the compartments are at present built to survive from disaster. one of the most important item stored here is the Lotus Sutra which is one of the object considered as a Japanese national treasure.this gate also holds two golden lanterns, one large red lantern and two huge statues of Nio, Buddha's guardian on its Southern side. while its Northern side has on it a pair of big straw sandals called waraji which is 4.5meters long and 1.5 meters wide weighing 400kgs.
unlike most gates, the ones here does not have walls. it simply symbolize passage before one reaches the temple. another great attraction as seen in the background is a five-tiered pagoda called the "Gojunoto". it has on it a special finial which also serves as a lightning rod.

how to get there:
most convenient way would be by train, just take any line that passes by Asakusa station.

location:
island: Honshu
region: Kanto

prefecture: Tokyo

escape factor:
historical background: 4.0
cultural value: 4.5
accessibility: 4.0
architectural design: 4.5

overall escape factor: 4.5

GPS location

35^ 42' 40" N

139^ 47' 47" E