Remember to take a great photo there, it’s worth the effort!
Hozomon Gate: The two-storey second gate of Sensoji houses precious assets like lanterns, statues, and large sandals, making it an ideal backdrop for photos.
Five-Story Pagoda: This 53.32-meter tall structure not only mesmerizes but also symbolizes the universe’s five elements: land, fire, wind, water, and sky.
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There’s lots of theories but one story is that it comes from kappa, mischievous water creatures from Japanese folklore. The Red and White varieties resemble a light lager and score high drinkability points, but for something darker and chocolatey, bet on Black. Visit Asakusa to experience true Japanese traditions, arts and crafts, and take a little piece home with you.
Tips
Stepping through the Thunder Gate into the lively shopping street of Nakamise and Sensoji Temple
A trip to the mighty Sumida River and its banks lined with local landmarks
Cruises on Tokyo's waterways
How to Get There
Asakusa Station is on Tokyo Metro's Ginza Line, Toei Asakusa Line and Tobu Skytree Line.
Having evolved into a shopping street dedicated to cookery goods after World War II, this wholesale district is jammed with over 170 shops selling everything from top-of-the-line knives to bargain ceramic plates and coffee grinders. These are often used during the Sanja Festival, a wild and famous Shinto festival in the country.
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The beverage of choice here is Denki Bran or electric brandy, a mix of brandy, gin, wine, and other secret ingredients, often drunk with beer as a chaser. Asakusa is a must-visit if you’re after a slice of old Tokyo. The district is home to the iconic Sensōji Temple, lively Nakamise-dōri shopping street, and a mix of traditional and quirky experiences — think rickshaw rides, kimono strolls, and sampling classic Japanese snacks.
Get your fortune told
Try your luck with an omikuji. Toothbrushes, paintbrushes, hairbrushes, and brushes for cleaning and scrubbing — if it’s got bristles, Kanaya makes it.
For Japanese tea, head to Masudaen Sohonten.
Asakusa is an incredibly vibrant destination in Tokyo, Japan that offers a unique blend of traditional culture and modern amenities.
Visiting Asakusa Tokyo is Like Stepping Into Another age.
In addition to malty hojicha and green, vegetal sencha from Japan’s diverse tea-growing regions, Masudaen also offers matcha from Japan-exclusive producers at a variety of price points. The ones that did survive are here – in Asakusa.
So the atmosphere here is all about Japan pre-war.
From traditional festivals to delicious local eateries, it’s worth visiting for its unique blend of ancient history and modern culture.
Things to Do In Asakusa
Traditional shops, traditional Japanese houses, Ancient shrines, and Geisha joints.
A great way to explore Asakusa is with a tour guide who can take you through all the major attractions and help you make the most of a short trip.
After seeing Sensō-ji temple you can take a ride on a rickshaw, stroll through Nakamise shopping street, or even take a boat cruise along the Sumida River – all unforgettable experiences that make Asakusa well worth exploring.
But there’s plenty more than this on offer: Here’s our extensive list of all the best things to do in Asakusa both during the day and when the area transforms in the evening
See The Geisha In Kannonura Street
Kannonura Street is one of the few streets in Tokyo where you can still see Geisha in Kimonos and traditional white make-up.
Geishas are traditional entertainers.
If you’d like to see the Geishas perform the Japanese dance, singing, and music they were trained for, the tea houses in Asakusa still have 45 actively working geisha (In Kyoto Geishas are more common).
An evening like that costs around 20,000 yen per customer but can be difficult to see unless you are a regular.
In any case, the Geisha area has a lovely traditional Japanese feel to it, so take a walk down Kannonura Street.
Sensoji Temple
Sensoji Temple dates back to 645, but with the original was destroyed in the air raids in 1945, so today’s building is a reconstruction.
The massive complex was established more than 1,400 years ago to honor Kannon Bosatsu (Goddess of Mercy).
On any given day you can witness thousands of visitors singing traditional Japanese songs or listening to reverent bells ringing from within its red gates.
Whether it’s walking along tree-lined paths surrounding Senso-Ji or taking home your own omikuji fortune paper slip found at Omiya Shrine must be experienced when visiting Sensō–Ji Temple.
Pro Tip: At the top of the steps, it’s a ritual to clap your hands twice and bow your head.
It’s also a custom to make a gift to the gods by throwing coins into the wooden box.
Visit The Kaminari-mon Gate
Kaminarimon Gate is the iconic entrance gate of Asakusa, Tokyo.
It’s known for its giant red paper lantern featuring “Thunder God” that hangs above it in striking contrast to the sky-blue main gates and other colorful decorations on both sides.
Kaminarimon is the first of two large entrance gates leading to Sensoji Temple and was first built more than 1000 years ago.
These destinations are very popular and highly recommended for first-time visitors.
Things to Do in Asakusa (Map)
For easy reference to the perfect things to do and dining spots in Asakusa, you can refer to the map provided above.
I hope the map I created helps save you research time and makes your trip more convenient.
Train Station Exits
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Photo Credit: Photos by PIXTA
Categories Japan, Tokyo
A guide to Asakusa - an area of true Japanese tradition
An iconic Tokyo temple complex and town brimming with tradition
Asakusa—an area centered around Sensoji Temple with Kaminarimon ("Thunder Gate") and Nakamise shopping street—is surrounded by water and immersed in rich tradition.
Here are 16 ways to make the most of your time in this must-visit locale.
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The boarding pier for the waterbus is just a three-minute walk from Asakusa Station.
From Haneda Airport: 50 minutes by train. From Narita Airport: one hour 25 minutes by train. It has a retro, slightly kitschy feel — a corporate dream of luxury that has softened over the years. We recommend trying this 2-hour food crawl (from ¥11,500) or this more leisurely snacks tour (from ¥9,890).