Sensoji Hozomon Gate

This camera is trained on Hozomon, the inner gate of Sensoji Temple in Asakusa. It stands at the far end of Nakamise-dori, between the outer Kaminarimon gate and the main hall.

Hozomon means treasure house gate, and the name is literal: the upper storey holds the temple's collection of sutras. A great red lantern hangs in the central bay, and on either side stand the Nio guardian figures. On the rear face are two enormous woven straw sandals, offerings that are replaced only every ten years or so.

Sensoji is the oldest temple in Tokyo, founded in 628, and among the most visited religious sites in the world. Crowd density through this gate is the thing to watch — heaviest at New Year for hatsumode, and again during the Sanja Matsuri in May.