Senso-ji’s Treasured “Kanbun Engi Scroll” Was Displayed During the Special Viewing of the Denboin Garden and Emado Until November 3

The actual “Senso-ji Kanbun Engi Scroll,” a treasure of Senso-ji (Taito-ku, Tokyo), was displayed at the “Senso-ji Place of Scenic Beauty: Denboin Garden / Emado Special Viewing,” held at the temple from Friday, October 30 to Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (national holiday). The first of its six scrolls was shown inside the Emado, together with a reproduction of the part corresponding to the “Kannon Sutra” in the National Treasure “Lotus Sutra (with the Opening and Closing Sutras)” (the Senso-ji Sutra). HITOHATA, INC., which planned and produced the event, had announced this on October 18.

What is the “Kanbun Engi Scroll”? The scenes depicted in the first scroll

The “Senso-ji Kanbun Engi Scroll” is a set of six illustrated scrolls telling the story of the temple’s origins, painted by Kano Ujinobu in 1662 (Kanbun 2). The first scroll, on display this time, depicts scenes including the moment in 628 (the 36th year of Empress Suiko’s reign) when a statue of Kannon was caught in the net of the brothers Hinokuma no Hamanari and Takenari.

The press materials describe the scroll as a “closely guarded temple treasure.” It will be shown during the special viewing period, in line with the Emado’s viewing hours.

The “Kannon Sutra” displayed alongside it is a reproduction of the part corresponding to the Kannon Sutra in the National Treasure “Lotus Sutra (with the Opening and Closing Sutras),” commonly known as the “Senso-ji Sutra.” It will be displayed outside a case so that visitors can see it up close.

Display hours and how to get around

The display is inside the Emado, from 9:00 to 16:00 (last entry 15:30). The Emado is a building housing about 50 large votive paintings by artists including Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Hasegawa Settan and Hemmi (Kano) Kazunobu, and it is not normally open to the public. Visitors will be able to see the scroll and the large votive paintings in the same hall. Photography is not allowed inside the Emado.

Special viewing tickets are valid for both day and night, and re-entry is allowed on the designated day. Visitors can see the scroll and the votive paintings at the Emado during the day, then return in the evening for “Kinryu Yakai” (17:00–21:00), which features the illumination of the Denboin Garden and dance performances. In the garden, a sea-of-clouds effect lasting about 10 minutes is also staged about once every 30 minutes between 9:00 and 20:30.

Connection to the nighttime projection mapping on the Main Hall and Hozomon Gate

On the nights of the same five days, projection mapping will be shown on Senso-ji’s Main Hall and Hozomon Gate as “ASAKUSA CULTURE & LIGHTS 2026” (18:00–21:30, free, no reservation required). The theme is the 1,400-year history of Senso-ji, with motifs including the large votive paintings, the “Kanbun Engi” scroll and ukiyo-e prints associated with the temple.

This makes it possible to see the actual scroll that the images are based on during the day and the projections at night. The special viewing as a whole is covered in detail in our article on the special viewing of the Denboin Garden and Emado.

Tickets and prices

Prices (tax included) are 2,300 yen in advance and 2,500 yen on the day for adults (high school students and older), and 800 yen in advance and 1,000 yen on the day for elementary and junior high school students. Tickets with a catalogue cost 3,800 yen in advance and 4,000 yen on the day for adults, and 2,300 yen in advance and 2,500 yen on the day for elementary and junior high school students. Discounted prices for people with disabilities and others are 2,100 yen for adults and 600 yen for elementary and junior high school students, and preschool children are free.

Advance tickets are on sale until Thursday, October 29. During the event, a limited number of same-day tickets will also be sold at the reception near the Okuyama Gate on the north side of the Denboin Garden.

Overview

Name: Senso-ji Place of Scenic Beauty: Denboin Garden / Emado Special Viewing
Dates: Friday, October 30 – Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (national holiday)
Hours: 9:00–21:00 (last entry to the Denboin Garden 20:30; the Emado and the display of the “Senso-ji Kanbun Engi Scroll” 9:00–16:00, last entry 15:30)
Venue: Denboin Garden and Emado, Senso-ji (reception near the Okuyama Gate on the north side of the Denboin Garden)
Address: 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Admission: Adults (high school students and older) 2,300 yen in advance, 2,500 yen on the day; elementary and junior high school students 800 yen in advance, 1,000 yen on the day; other ticket types available
Organizer: Asakusa Culture & Lights Executive Committee
Planning and production: HITOHATA, INC.
Official website: https://www.asakusaculturelights.com/
*Information as of October 19, 2026. Please check the official website for the latest information.

*Top image: Senso-ji Kanbun Engi Scroll (collection of Senso-ji) (from a press release by HITOHATA, INC.)

*This article was compiled by the TOKYO ART SPHERE editorial team based on press materials from HITOHATA, INC. (October 18 and September 2, 2026) and information on the official website.

Text: TOKYO ART SPHERE Editorial Team

A note from the publisher

*Disclosure: The special viewing of Senso-ji’s Denboin Garden and Emado is an event planned and produced by HITOHATA, INC., an affiliate of HITOHATA ASSOCIATION, the general incorporated association that operates TOKYO ART SPHERE (About us).

The latest information on events produced by HITOHATA, INC. is available at HITOHATA, INC.’s event information. Inquiries about planning projection mapping on cultural properties, government buildings and other urban buildings are accepted through the company’s contact form.