February 28 / Asakusa Guide (浅草ガイド)
Asakusa (浅草) is the center of Tokyo's downtown, one of Tokyo's districts, where an atmosphere of the Tokyo of past decades survives.
Asakusa's main attraction is Sensoji (浅草寺), a very popular Buddhist temple, built in 645. The temple is approached via the Nakamise (仲見世), 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.
(Asakusa 1858)
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 tower in 2012, a twenty minute walk across the Sumida River from Asakusa, has led to an increase of tourists recently.
Kaminarimon 雷門 (Gate)
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.
Sensoji Temple 浅草寺| Hours: 6:00 to 17:00 (open 30minutes later during winter) | Admission: Free
Sensoji ("Senso" is an alternative reading for Asakusa and "ji" means temple) is Tokyo's most famous and popular temple. Built in the 7th century, it is also one of its oldest, although the current buildings are postwar reconstructions.
Asakusa Shrine 浅草神社 | 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.
Nakamise Shopping Street 仲見世ショッピング街| Most shops open from 9:00 to 19:00
The Nakamise shopping street stretches over approximately 250 meters from Kaminarimon to the main grounds of Sensoji Temple. It is lined by more than 50 shops, which offer local specialties and the usual array of tourist souvenirs.
Kappabashi Shopping Street かっぱ橋道具街 | Most shops open from 9:00 to 17:00 | Closed on Sundays and national holidays
Kappabashi is an almost one kilometer long street lined by shops catering to restaurant businesses. Items on sale include tableware, kitchen utensils and appliances, sample food, furniture, signs, lanterns and uniforms.
Tobu Asakusa Station & Matsuya Department Store 東武浅草駅と松屋デパート | Matsuya open daily from 10:00 to 20:00
Tobu Asakusa Station is the terminal station of Tobu trains heading into the suburbs and prefectures north of Tokyo, including trains to Nikko. The station building also houses a Matsuya department store that spans eight floors.
Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center | Open daily 9:00 to 20:00
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.
Sumida River Cruise 隅田川クルーズ | 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.
Sumida Park 隅田公園 | Admission: Free
This riverside park stretches along both sides of Sumida River for several hundred meters. In spring it becomes a popular cherry blossom viewing spot, while on the last Saturday of July it becomes the site of the Sumida River Firework.
Rokku Entertainment District 浅草ロック | Rokku used to be Tokyo's leading entertainment district before the war, hosting Japan's first cinema and more. However, the district has not regained its former popularity after the war. Today, Rokku offers attractions such as rakugo theaters, cinemas and pachinko parlors, and Japan's oldest Strip Theater called "Rokku-za".
Hanayashiki Amusement Park 浅草花やしき| Open 10:00 to 18:00 (longer hours during holidays) | Admission: 1000 yen plus separate fees for rides
Originally opened as a flower park, Hanayashiki is an oldest Amusement park in Japan. 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.
Asahi Beer Tower | 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.
Taikokan 太鼓館 | Open10:00 to 17:00 | Closed: Mondays, Tuesdays, New Year and Obon | Admission: 500 yen
Drums from around the world, including Japanese taiko drums, are exhibited in this small museum. Visitors can play several of the drums. The museum is located in a floor above the Miyamoto Unosuke Nishi Asakusa store, which sells Japanese drums and festival goods.
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Asakusa's main attraction is Sensoji (浅草寺), a very popular Buddhist temple, built in 645. The temple is approached via the Nakamise (仲見世), 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.
(Asakusa 1858)
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 tower in 2012, a twenty minute walk across the Sumida River from Asakusa, has led to an increase of tourists recently.
Kaminarimon 雷門 (Gate)
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.
Sensoji Temple 浅草寺| Hours: 6:00 to 17:00 (open 30minutes later during winter) | Admission: Free
Sensoji ("Senso" is an alternative reading for Asakusa and "ji" means temple) is Tokyo's most famous and popular temple. Built in the 7th century, it is also one of its oldest, although the current buildings are postwar reconstructions.
Asakusa Shrine 浅草神社 | 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.
Nakamise Shopping Street 仲見世ショッピング街| Most shops open from 9:00 to 19:00
The Nakamise shopping street stretches over approximately 250 meters from Kaminarimon to the main grounds of Sensoji Temple. It is lined by more than 50 shops, which offer local specialties and the usual array of tourist souvenirs.
Kappabashi Shopping Street かっぱ橋道具街 | Most shops open from 9:00 to 17:00 | Closed on Sundays and national holidays
Kappabashi is an almost one kilometer long street lined by shops catering to restaurant businesses. Items on sale include tableware, kitchen utensils and appliances, sample food, furniture, signs, lanterns and uniforms.
Tobu Asakusa Station & Matsuya Department Store 東武浅草駅と松屋デパート | Matsuya open daily from 10:00 to 20:00
Tobu Asakusa Station is the terminal station of Tobu trains heading into the suburbs and prefectures north of Tokyo, including trains to Nikko. The station building also houses a Matsuya department store that spans eight floors.
Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center | Open daily 9:00 to 20:00
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.
Sumida River Cruise 隅田川クルーズ | 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.
Sumida Park 隅田公園 | Admission: Free
This riverside park stretches along both sides of Sumida River for several hundred meters. In spring it becomes a popular cherry blossom viewing spot, while on the last Saturday of July it becomes the site of the Sumida River Firework.
Rokku Entertainment District 浅草ロック | Rokku used to be Tokyo's leading entertainment district before the war, hosting Japan's first cinema and more. However, the district has not regained its former popularity after the war. Today, Rokku offers attractions such as rakugo theaters, cinemas and pachinko parlors, and Japan's oldest Strip Theater called "Rokku-za".
Hanayashiki Amusement Park 浅草花やしき| Open 10:00 to 18:00 (longer hours during holidays) | Admission: 1000 yen plus separate fees for rides
Originally opened as a flower park, Hanayashiki is an oldest Amusement park in Japan. 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.
Asahi Beer Tower | 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.
Taikokan 太鼓館 | Open10:00 to 17:00 | Closed: Mondays, Tuesdays, New Year and Obon | Admission: 500 yen
Drums from around the world, including Japanese taiko drums, are exhibited in this small museum. Visitors can play several of the drums. The museum is located in a floor above the Miyamoto Unosuke Nishi Asakusa store, which sells Japanese drums and festival goods.
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