Most visitors walk through Hozomon Gate on the way to the Main Hall and never look back. That's a shame, because the giant straw sandals on the reverse side are one of the stranger, more memorable sights in Asakusa — and most people miss them entirely.
This guide covers what Hozomon actually means, the guardian statues on either side, the story behind the giant sandals, and how it differs from Kaminarimon Gate out front.
What is Hozomon Gate?
The Meaning Behind the Name
Hozomon (宝蔵門) translates to "Treasure-House Gate." Its upper story stores some of Senso-ji's most valuable sutras and artifacts — which is a fairly recent function. The gate was originally called Niomon, "Gate of the Nio," after the two guardian statues standing inside it, and only took on its current name once the treasure storage was added during a later reconstruction.
How Old Is It?
The first gate on this spot went up in 942 AD, built by the military commander Taira no Kinmasa. It's been destroyed and rebuilt several times since — most recently after the 1945 Tokyo air raids. The current structure dates to 1964, built with reinforced concrete and funded by a donation from Yonetaro Otani, founder of Hotel New Otani.
Getting There
| Address | 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0032 |
| Location | Midway between Kaminarimon Gate and the Main Hall, at the end of Nakamise Street |
| Admission | Free |
📍 Official Senso-ji Information
What to Look For
The Nio Guardian Statues
Two towering Nio statues flank the passageway — Agyo, mouth open, representing the beginning of life, and Ungyo, mouth closed, representing its end. According to several local accounts, the sculptors used real people as models: Agyo was based on the sumo wrestler Kitanoumi, nicknamed "the unsinkable battleship," and Ungyo on wrestler Kiyoshi Myobudani, known as "the human crane." Whether or not the resemblance is intentional, the statues have an unmistakably powerful, muscular build up close.
The Giant Straw Sandals
Walk around to the back of the gate and you'll find a pair of enormous straw sandals (waraji), each about 4.5 meters long, 1.5 meters wide, and 500 kilograms. They're hand-woven and donated by volunteers from Murayama City, Yamagata Prefecture, and replaced roughly once a decade. The idea is simple: if a demon sees footwear this size, it assumes whoever wears it is too big to fight — and thinks better of approaching the temple.
The Lantern
The lantern hanging at the gate's center reads "Kobunacho" (小舟町), the name of the Nihonbashi neighborhood that donated it. It's lit up at night, adding to the gate's presence alongside the Five-Story Pagoda just behind it.
Hozomon vs. Kaminarimon: What's the Difference?
Both are dramatic red gates, and it's easy to mix them up. Kaminarimon is Senso-ji's outer gate — the famous photo spot with the lantern everyone recognizes — while Hozomon is the inner gate directly before the Main Hall, guarded by the Nio and hung with the giant sandals on its reverse side. If Kaminarimon welcomes you in, Hozomon is the one that actually guards the sacred grounds.
GATE GUIDE
Kaminarimon Gate: History, Lantern, and What People Miss
FAQ
What is Hozomon Gate?
Hozomon is Senso-ji's inner gate, standing between Nakamise Street and the Main Hall. It houses two Nio guardian statues and a pair of giant straw sandals on its reverse side.
What is the meaning of Hozomon?
It means "Treasure-House Gate," named for the Buddhist treasures stored in its upper level. It was originally called Niomon, after its two guardian statues.
What is Kaminarimon Gate?
Kaminarimon is Senso-ji's outer gate, famous for its giant red lantern. It's a separate gate from Hozomon — full details are in my Kaminarimon Gate guide.
What is the name of the gate at a Buddhist temple called?
The general term is sanmon (山門), literally "mountain gate." A gate specifically housing Nio guardian statues, like Hozomon originally was, is called a niomon.
Final Thoughts
Hozomon rewards a slow walk-through. Look up at the Nio on the way in, then turn around once you're past it — the giant sandals on the back are easy to miss if you're only focused on reaching the Main Hall.
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