Many Japanese and tourists alike visit Sensoji Temple every year. But the Kinryu no Mai (golden dragon dance) is a special performance to enjoy if you can make it there on March 18th.

That same day in 628, two fisherman brothers fished a Buddhist statue out of the Sumida River. The village chief used this statue, which turned out to be one of the Bodhisattva Kannon, to found Sensoji. Or so the legend goes. And we celebrate the temple’s founding with this dance because Kannon took the form of a golden dragon when descending from Heaven.

Want even more backstory and secret tips about the event? Check out our feature article on it here.