Better known to the Japanese people as the temple of the Asakusa Kannon, Senso-ji is the oldest temple in Tokyo and remains an important center of worship drawing around 30 million visitors every year.

Legend holds it that, in the year 628, two brothers fished a statue of the Bodhisattva Kannon, the goddess of mercy, out of the Sumida River.

Even though they put the statue back into the river, it kept returning to them, so a temple was built nearby for the goddess.

A stately 5-storey pagoda devoted to the goddess stands in the main hall and there is a quiet contemplative garden kept in the distinctive Japanese style within the temple.

Getting There: The closest stations to Sensoji Temple are the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, the Toei Asakusa Line, the Tobu Sky Tree Line, and the Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station. You can reach Sensoji Temple in 5 minutes on foot from any of these stations.

Admission Fee: is FREE

Opening Hours: 24 hours

Importance Rating: 10 - this is one of Tokyo's top sights and on everyone's list of things to see.

Busyness Rating: 10 - it gets very busy at certain times of day.

Top Tips: Getting there before or around 10 am is a good time. Sensoji Temple is lit up every evening from sunset until around 11 p.m. Enjoy a walk in this spiritual and historical epicentre as you gaze at the ethereal illuminations.

Just west of Sensoji is Hoppy Street, so named for the drink made with this non-alcoholic beer and shochu, sake's stronger cousin.

Aside from the fizzy beverage, Hoppy Street also has a number of casual open-air eateries where you can get fresh-grilled yakitori skewers or the area's specialty: beef stew.

You also won't want to miss stopping by Kamiya, Japan's oldest Western-style bar, famous for its original brandy-based cocktail Denki-Bran.

The 18th day of every month is associated with the goddess Kannon and a time when more worshippers turn up at the temple.