Asakusa - 浅草
Asakusa (浅草) is the center of Tokyo's shitamachi (literally "low city"), one of Tokyo's districts, where an atmosphere of the Tokyo of past decades survives.
Asakusa's main attraction is Sensoji, a very popular Buddhist temple, built in the 7th century. The temple is approached via the Nakamise, a shopping street that has been providing temple visitors with a variety of traditional, local snacks and tourist souvenirs for centuries.
Asakusa can easily be explored on foot. Alternatively, you can consider a guided tour on a rickshaw (jinrikisha, literally "man powered vehicle"). A 30 minute tour for two persons costs around 9000 yen. Shorter and longer courses are also available.
For many centuries, Asakusa used to be Tokyo's leading entertainment district. During the Edo Period (1603-1867), when the district was still located outside the city limits, Asakusa was the site of kabuki theaters and a large red light district. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, modern types of entertainment, including movie theaters, set foot in Asakusa.
However, large parts of Asakusa were destroyed in the air raids of World War Two. And while the area around the rebuilt Sensoji has regained its former popularity after the war, the same cannot be said for Asakusa's entertainment district. The opening of the 634 meter tall Tokyo Skytree, a twenty minute walk across the Sumida River from Asakusa, has led to an increase of tourists recently.
Kaminarimon (Kaminari Gate) - 雷門
Hours: Always open
Admission: Free
Kaminarimon is the first of two large entrance gates leading to Sensoji Temple. First built more than 1000 years ago, it is the symbol of Asakusa. The Nakamise shopping street leads from
Kaminarimon to the temple grounds.
Nakamise street - 仲見世通り
Hours depend on the individual shops; typically daily from 9:00 to 19:00
A shopping street of over 200 meters, called Nakamise, leads from the outer gate to the temple's second gate, the Hozomon. Alongside typical Japanese souvenirs such as yukata and folding fans, various traditional local snacks from the Asakusa area are sold along the Nakamise. The shopping street has a history of several centuries.
Sensoji Temple - 浅草寺
Hours: 6:00 to 17:00 (from 6:30 October to March)
Admission: Free
Sensoji (浅草寺, Sensōji, also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple) is a Buddhist temple located in Asakusa. It is one of Tokyo's most colorful and popular temples.
Various events are held throughout the year in the Sensoji Temple area. The biggest of them is the Sanja Matsuri, the annual festival of the Asakusa Shrine, held in May. Other events are the
Asakusa Samba Carnival in August and the Hagoita-ichi (Hagoita Market) at which decorated wooden paddles used in the traditional game of hanetsuki are sold.
Destroyed in the war, the buildings are relatively recent reconstructions. The Asakusa Shrine, built in the year 1649 by Tokugawa Iemitsu, stands only a few dozen meters to the left of the temple's main building.
The legend says that in the year 628, two brothers fished a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, out of the Sumida River, and even though they put the statue back into the river, it always returned to them. Consequently, Sensoji was built nearby for the goddess of Kannon. The temple was completed in 645, making it Tokyo's oldest temple.
Other Temples and Shrines
Asakusa Shrine
浅草神社
Hours: Always open
Admission: Free
Asakusa Shrine, also known as Sanja-sama, was built during the Edo Period and survived the air raids of 1945. The shrine's festival, the Sanja Matsuri, is one of Tokyo's most spectacular and popular. It is held every year on a weekend (Friday to Sunday) in mid May.
Dempoin Temple
伝法院
Not usually open to the public
Dempoin is a temple just next to Sensoji, known for its beautiful garden. Unfortunately, the temple and garden are not open to the public. Visiting the garden by appointment, as it used to be possible, cannot be done anymore, either.
Other Shopping Street
Shin-Nakamise street
新仲見世通り
Hours depend on the individual shops; typically daily from 10:00 to 20:00.
Shin-Nakamise or "New Nakamise" runs perpendicular to the Nakamise Shopping Street. It is a covered shopping arcade lined by various shops and restaurants.
Kappabashi street
かっぱ橋通り
Hours: Most shops open from 9:00 to 17:00
Closed: Many shops are closed on Sundays and national holidays
Kappabashi Street (かっぱ橋道具街, Kappabashi Dōgugai) is a shopping street between Ueno and Asakusa, which is lined with several dozens of stores selling everything needed by restaurant operators, with the exception of fresh food.
You will find specialized stores for dishes, pots, pans, cooking utensils, stoves, tables, chairs, signs, lanterns and more. There are also a few stores which sell plastic and wax food samples, used by many restaurants in their show windows.
Other Attractions
Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
浅草文化観光情報センター
Hours: 9:00 to 20:00
Closed: No closing days
The Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center was newly opened in 2012, adding diversity to the streets of Asakusa with its interesting architectural design. The eight story building offers a counter providing tourist information in multiple languages, free wifi connectivity, a cafe, and an observation deck which provides good views looking onto Sensoji Temple and the Nakamise Shopping Street.
Asahi Beer Tower
アサヒビール
Restaurants open daily from 11:30 to 22:00
The Asahi Beer Tower and Asahi Super Dry Hall with its characteristic Flamme d'Or were, completed in 1989 and host the headquarters of Asahi Breweries. Furthermore, several restaurants can be found in the complex.
Rickshaw - 人力車
EBISUYA
えびす屋
9:30 till sunset
(may change according to season. Please ask us)
Riding on a traditional Japanese rickshaw with EBISUYA is one of the most popular activities for tourists in all of Japan.
Unlike with a taxi or bus, with a rickshaw you can see all of the great secret destinations and explore like a local.
Our drivers in their traditional Japanese uniforms will lead an exciting adventure where you can learn about amazing places to eat and of course about the culture and history of the town.
It's time to go beyond the guidebook. An EBISUYA Rickshaw tour is a must if you are in Japan!.
Course and Price
Hanayashiki Amusement Park - 花やしき遊園地
Hours: 10:00 to 18:00 (longer hours during holidays)
Admission: 1000 yen plus separate fees for rides
Originally opened as a flower park, Hanayashiki has a history of more than 150 years. Located just a few steps from Sensoji, the miniature amusement park offers numerous attractions, including a small Ferris wheel, roller coaster, carousel and Space Shot.
More info：
Sumida River Cruise
Tokyo Cruise
東京都観光汽船
Tokyo Water Bus operates sightseeing ships every 30 to 60 minutes from Asakusa Pier via Hama Rikyu Garden to Hinode Pier, where you can transfer to a ship to Odaiba. In addition, there are less frequent, direct ships from Asakusa to Odaiba.
Tokyo Skytree - 東京スカイツリー
The Tokyo Skytree (東京スカイツリー) is a new television broadcasting tower and landmark of Tokyo. It is the centerpiece of the Tokyo Skytree Town in the Sumida City Ward, not far away from Asakusa. With a height of 634 meters (634 can be read as "Musashi", a historic name of the Tokyo Region), it is the tallest building in Japan and the second tallest structure in the world at the time of its completion. A large shopping complex with aquarium is located at its base.
Asakusa - Map
The information on this page is updated in April 2014.
The possibility want that information has been changed, please check the official website of each facility.