As you wander through Asakusa, you’ll notice many animal statues guarding temple gates and street corners — lions, foxes, cows, cats, dragons, eagles, and raccoon dogs. These are not mere decorations; each carries centuries of symbolism rooted in Buddhism, Shinto, and Japanese folk belief. Together they form a “spiritual zoo,” revealing how the divine and the everyday coexist in this ancient part of Tokyo.
1. Komainu of Sensō-ji Temple — Lions That Guard the World
At the great gate of Sensō-ji Temple, pairs of stone guardian beasts called komainu stand watch. Their origins lie in ancient India’s Buddhist temples, where lions symbolized the Buddha’s teaching and power. The image spread through China and Korea before reaching Japan, which had no native lions — so Japanese sculptors blended the form of a lion with that of a dog, creating the hybrid “lion-dog.”
One opens its mouth to pronounce “A,” the first sound of the Sanskrit alphabet; the other closes it to form “Un,” the last. Together they represent the beginning and end of the universe, life and death, yin and yang. Though once exclusive to Buddhist temples, these protectors became common at Shinto shrines as well, symbolizing the harmony of Japan’s two major religions. The komainu of Sensō-ji, silently watching the crowds of visitors, are living traces of this shared Asian spiritual heritage.
2. Foxes of Asakusa Shrine and Hikan Inari — Symbols of Fertility and Change
Next to Sensō-ji stands Asakusa Shrine, and within its precincts lies Hikan Inari Shrine, where a pair of fox statues guard the gate. In Inari worship, foxes are considered the divine messengers of the rice deity Inari Ōkami. In ancient villages, foxes hunted mice that destroyed crops, so they came to symbolize fertility and prosperity.
The foxes often hold keys or jewels in their mouths — keys to rice granaries, or jewels representing abundance. Over time, the Inari faith merged with Buddhist worship of Dakini-ten, a goddess often depicted riding a white fox. Thus, the fox became a bridge between Buddhism and Shinto, an emblem of transformation and divine connection. The foxes of Asakusa still reflect this ancient fusion of faiths, guarding the balance between human livelihood and the sacred.
3. Dragons and Daikon at Matsuchiyama Shōden — Harmony of Water and Earth
Perched on a small hill along the Sumida River, Matsuchiyama Shōden (formally Honryū-in) is one of Asakusa’s oldest temples and a sub-temple of Sensō-ji. Its principal deity, Shōden or Kangiten, derives from the Hindu god Ganesha, who was introduced to Japan through esoteric Buddhism. Known as the deity of harmony, prosperity, and household happiness, Shōden has long been beloved by the people of Asakusa.
Visitors offer white radishes (daikon) at the altar — a unique custom symbolizing purification, detoxification, and smooth human relationships. Around the temple, carvings and motifs of dragons also appear, reflecting old legends that a water dragon once blessed this hill. The pairing of the dragon (heaven, water) and the radish (earth, nourishment) beautifully expresses the temple’s message of balance between the spiritual and the everyday.
🚗 Rickshaw Tip: A popular rickshaw route connects Matsuchiyama Shōden and nearby Imado Shrine, letting you experience both riverside shrines in comfort. Those who wish can even book a private extended tour that visits all seven “animal” spots across Asakusa in a single journey.
👉 Book a Rickshaw Tour
4. The Healing Cow of Ushijima Shrine — Strength and Compassion
Across the river stands Ushijima Shrine, whose name literally means “island of cows.” In its courtyard rests a stone cow statue known as the nade-ushi (“stroking cow”). Worshippers gently rub the part of the cow corresponding to their own aches and pains, believing that the illness will be healed.
In Japan’s agricultural society, cows symbolized diligence, patience, and physical strength. Buddhism, too, has long associated cows with endurance and compassion — the Buddha himself was born among herders and often likened to a gentle ox guiding the lost. The cow of Ushijima Shrine thus represents both worldly perseverance and spiritual mercy, a tangible embodiment of faith that anyone can touch.
5. Maneki-neko of Imado Shrine — Edo-Era Faith in Everyday Fortune
Along the Sumida River on Asakusa’s eastern edge stands Imado Shrine, known as the birthplace of the maneki-neko, Japan’s famous “beckoning cat.” According to a local legend, a poor old woman once had to part with her beloved cat. The cat later appeared to her in a dream, saying, “Make an image of me and you will find happiness.” When she crafted clay cat figurines and sold them at the temple gate, they became wildly popular — giving rise to the Imado-style maneki-neko.
Raising the left paw invites people; the right paw invites money. The maneki-neko quickly became a beloved Edo-period charm, blending commerce and faith. Today, Imado Shrine is also known as a matchmaking shrine, where couples pray for lasting harmony. The giant twin cats at its entrance welcome visitors with gentle smiles, embodying the joyful spirit of Edo’s townspeople.
🚗 Rickshaw Tip: Combine Imado Shrine with nearby Matsuchiyama Shōden for a short cultural tour along the Sumida River. Local guides offer rickshaw tours that stop at both shrines, blending scenic beauty with living folklore.
👉 Book a Rickshaw Tour
6. The Eagle of Ootori Shrine — Guardian of Fortune and Victory
In the northern part of Asakusa lies Ootori Shrine, dedicated to the “great bird” — the eagle. Each November, the shrine hosts the lively Tori-no-Ichi festival, where merchants purchase decorative bamboo rakes called kumade to “rake in” good fortune for the coming year.
The eagle, or ōtori, symbolizes ambition and success. In Japanese mythology, it appears as Ame-no-Hiwashi-no-Mikoto, a deity of weaving and the arts. Its imagery also parallels the Buddhist karura and the Hindu Garuda — divine birds that connect heaven and earth. The eagle of Ootori Shrine thus stands as a guardian of victory, linking craftsmanship, faith, and prosperity across cultures and eras.
7. Tanuki of Tanuki Street — Spirit of Laughter and Change
In the heart of Asakusa lies Tanuki Street, a cheerful shopping arcade lined with raccoon-dog statues. During the Meiji era, this area was still surrounded by rice fields where wild tanuki were common. The statues now serve as mascots of luck and business prosperity.
In Japanese folklore, the tanuki is a shapeshifting spirit known for humor and generosity. Its smiling, round-bellied form — with a straw hat and sake bottle — symbolizes joy and abundance. Asakusa’s tanuki capture the district’s easygoing spirituality, where belief and playfulness coexist in harmony.
Conclusion — Faith in Stone and Smiles
The sacred animals of Asakusa are more than statues. Each embodies human wishes for good harvests, success, health, love, and laughter. Lions, foxes, cows, cats, eagles, and tanuki — all stand beyond religious boundaries as expressions of gratitude and hope.
Whether you choose to walk or ride a rickshaw, look into the eyes of these stone creatures. You’ll glimpse another side of Asakusa — a town where ancient belief still smiles through every animal carved in stone.
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