The 2.5-ton red lantern was donated by the residents of the nearby Nihonbashi Kobunacho neighborhood.
The two Nio statues represent the Buddha's guardians, one with an open mouth for 'A' (birth) and one with a closed mouth for 'Un' (death).
The giant waraji sandals are replaced approximately every ten years as an offering for the safety and health of the people.
The gate was formerly called Niomon because of the guardian statues, but was renamed Hozomon to reflect its function as a repository for sacred texts.
The current structure replaced a wooden predecessor that was destroyed by fire during the air raids of 1945.
The Hozomon Gate, or Treasure House Gate, serves as the two-story entrance to the main Senso-ji temple complex in Asakusa. Constructed primarily of reinforced concrete to ensure fire resistance, the gate was rebuilt in 1964 with donations from Yonetaro Otani. It features a prominent central bay housing two Nio guardian statues, Agyo and Ungyo, flanking the entrance. A massive 2,500-kilogram red paper lantern, known as a chochin, hangs prominently in the central archway. Two giant waraji straw sandals, measuring over four meters in length, are mounted on the rear side of the gate. The upper level of the structure houses temple sutras and various historical treasures belonging to Senso-ji. The gate acts as a transition point between the commercial Nakamise-dori shopping street and the inner temple grounds.
From the center of Nakamise-dori looking up at the gate, or from the inner courtyard looking back toward the sandals.
View the gate from the inner temple side to see the colossal straw sandals often missed by crowds entering from the front.
Observe the red lantern closely to spot the metal decorative carvings on its base, which are replaced periodically.
Visit during the evening to see the gate illuminated, which provides a significantly different visual experience than daylight hours.
Do not rush through the gate; most visitors stop to photograph the lantern and miss the details on the rear facade.
Maintain a respectful tone; avoid loud conversations; do not touch the Nio statues or the lantern.
