Gojunoto, Tokyo

Now, if you’re wandering through Asakusa and spot a tall, tiered beauty looking like it’s reaching for the heavens—congrats, you’ve found the Gojunoto, a.k.a. the Five-storied Pagoda at Senso-ji Temple. It’s not just another pretty face in the skyline; it’s the second-tallest pagoda in all of Japan. (First place goes to Kyoto’s Toji Temple—but hey, silver's still a win.)

The Gojunoto’s history reads like a dramatic epic. The original pagoda dates back to 942, courtesy of military commander Taira no Kinmasa—because nothing says “don’t mess with me” more explicitly than building a towering spiritual monument. That one went up in flames, sadly, and in 1650, Tokugawa Iemitsu decided it was time for a sequel. Then came another fire in 1816, a rebuild in 1818, and by 1911, it was so legendary, Japan gave it national treasure status. Cue the sad trombone in 1945, when World War II damage struck again. But like any great icon, the Gojunoto rose once more—rebuilt in 1973 with a modern twist.

Today’s version is a fire-resistant, earthquake-savvy structure made of reinforced concrete and steel, standing tall at 53 meters. But don’t worry—it’s still got that traditional soul. At the heart is a Japanese cypress wood pillar, the secret ingredient of nearly all Japanese pagodas. The floors are loosely stacked around the core in a style known as "new Toinzukuri"—fancy talk for "this thing can shake and shimmy but won’t fall down."

Oh, and it’s not just for show. The Gojunoto also houses a lecture hall and holds a sacred tablet of the Buddha. The top floor is where the relics of the Buddha are stored, giving this architectural marvel a seriously holy vibe.

So whether you're here for the history, the engineering, or just to snap a selfie with one of Tokyo’s coolest cultural icons, the Gojunoto delivers five levels of awesomeness. Literally.