Senso-ji is the oldest temple in Tokyo and dedicated to Bodhisattva Kannon, the goddess of compassion and mercy. It was associated with the Tendai sect of Buddhism until World War II and then became independent as the head temple of the Sho Kannon sect. Senso-ji is a very popular temple and visited by over 30 million people every year. It is also called Asakusa Kannon or Asakusa no Kannon-sama.