Sensō-ji is an ancient Buddhist temple and located in Asakusa, Tokyo. It is Tokyo's oldest temple, and one of its most significant. The temple is dedicated to the bodhisattva Kannon (the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy) . According to legend, a statue of the Kannon was found in the Sumida River in 628 by two fishermen. The chief of their village, Hajino Nakamoto, recognized the sanctity of the statue and enshrined it by remodeling his own house into a small temple in Asakusa. It remains to be seen if the ancient image of Kannon actually exists, as it's not on public display. There or not, the stream of worshippers travelling to the top of the stairs to bow and clap is always steady. In front of the temple is a large incense cauldron: the smoke is said to bestow health and you´ll find some visitors rubbing it into their bodies through their clothes. From the outer gate to the second gate goes a shopping street of over 200 meters, called Nakamise. On this centuries old shopping street, you will find some typical Japanese souvenirs and local snacks.