Photo Spot · Asakusa

Kaminarimon at Night 夜の雷門

After the day crowds leave, the Thunder Gate's 3.9 m red lantern glows under spotlights with almost no one around, and taxis on Kaminarimon-dori leave light trails in front of it.

HoursOpen 24 hours; illumination sunset–approx. 23:00

ClosedOpen daily

PriceFree

Getting thereAsakusa Station (Ginza Line Exit 1), 1 min

Time needed20–30 minutes

Best timeAfter 20:00 or dawn

Address2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo (Kaminarimon)

Websitesenso-ji.jp

About

Kaminarimon, the outer gate of Senso-ji, is so crowded by day that a clean shot is almost impossible. Come back after about 20:00 and the scene changes: Nakamise's shops are shuttered, the giant red chochin lantern weighing around 700 kg is lit from below, and the guardian gods Fujin and Raijin glare from their niches under warm light. From across Kaminarimon-dori you can shoot the gate head-on with traffic light trails in front; from directly beneath, look up at the carved dragon on the lantern's base. Walk through and Nakamise's closed shutters are painted with scenes of Asakusa's history, leading you to the illuminated Hozomon and pagoda.

Highlights

Giant red lantern lit at night with the gate nearly empty
Fujin and Raijin statues in floodlit niches
Carved dragon on the lantern's underside
Taxi light trails on Kaminarimon-dori in front of the gate
Painted shutters of Nakamise after closing time

Tips

Come after 20:00 on a weekday for an empty gate; at dawn it is also quiet.
For light trails, shoot from the opposite pavement during a green light, 1-3 s braced on a railing.
Look straight up under the lantern with a wide lens for the dragon carving.
Senso-ji's buildings are illuminated from sunset to about 23:00.

Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-09

Plan it in Tabitomo

Save Kaminarimon at Night to your trip, see reviews and photos from travelers, and get directions.

Open in the app

Kaminarimon at Night 夜の雷門

About

Highlights

Tips

Nearby