The neighborhood of Asakusa preserves the heritage of the Edo-period. It is one of the most famous sightseeing destinations in Tokyo. Hundreds of tourists, both domestic and foreign, can be seen browsing the streets in Asakusa.
Today's popular date spot in Asakusa originated as a flower garden laid out by a gardener, Morita Rokusaburou in 1853. The garden turned into a park with play facilities, some exotic animals, and so forth. In 1949, the park was renewed and reopened as an amusement park, which was not a large scaled kind, but provided minimum attractions. It was not an imposing amusement park, but it was, with free of admissions, beloved by many. It was this park that introduced the first roller coaster made in Japan in 1953 and a 45-meter high tower in 1960. In 1985, Hanayashiki was no longer able to offer free admissions and major reconstructions took place repeatedly to install new attractions. Today, there are 24 attractions including the oldest roller coaster going through the neighborhood, which still remains as one of the most popular attractions. Hanayashiki continues to attract people with its nostalgic atmosphere more than anything else.
Address: 2-26-1, Asakusa, Daito-ku, Tokyo Tel: 03-3842-8780 Access: 5 mins walk from Asakusa Sta. on Subway Ginza Line, Asakusa Line and Tobu-Isezaki Line Open Hours: 10:00-18:00, closed on Tuesdays Admission Fee: Adult 900 Yen, Child:400 Yen
Standing behind the Senso-ji temple is the five-tiered Asakusa Shrine That was built in 1649 by Tokugawa Iemitsu. Hajino-matsuchino-mikoto, hinokumano-hamanarino-mikoto, and hinokumano-takenarino-mikoto who are said to be founders of Asakusa, are enshrined in the Asakusa Shrine. The shrine is widely known as "Sanja-sama" because it was built sometime around end of Heian Era or Kamakura Era to contribute to their service on developing Asakusa. One of the three greatest festivals in Edo, Sanja Matsuri is said to originate when local residents of Asakusa began to gather to have a festival to honor these three founders. Every year, the festival is held at the Asakusa Shrine on the third Friday, Saturday and Sunday of May. The main attraction of the festival is the mikoshi (miniature shrine) parade and the precincts of the shrine are filled with excitement of the festivities during those three days. A total of some 1.5 million people come and enjoy the air of excitement every year.
Address: 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo Tel: 03-3844-1575 Access: 7 mins walk from Asakusa Sta. on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, the Toei subway Asakusa Line, and the Tobu Isesaki Line.
Nakamise Street is a centerpiece of Senso-ji Temple and is connecting between the outer gate, Kaminari-mon and the main gate of the temple in the compound. More than 200-meter long Nakamise Street is said to originate during the 18th century, and there are over 150 stores lining up on the Nakamise Street and an intersecting newer street called Shin-Nakamise Street. The stores are packed full of local specialties. Some of the snacks, including Kaminari-okoshi, ningyo-yaki, and teki-senbei are famous specialties and popular souvenirs not only from Asakusa, but also from Tokyo. You can also find some Japanese traditional toys and eateries where you can buy some candies, rice cakes, and etc. to go. The street is bustled with sightseeing visitors throughout a year, but the busiest time of the year is during the New Year's celebrations. At night after the stores are closed, you can see the shutters painted in a colorful design done by the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music.
Address: 1-36-3 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo Tel: 03-3844-3350 Access: 1 mins. walk from Asakusa Sta. on Subway Asakusa Line and Ginza Line, and the Tobu Line
Sensoji Temple, commonly called "Kannon-sama" among locals, is the oldest and one of the most popular temples in the urban area of Tokyo. It is said that the temple was built in 628 to be dedicated to the statue of Kannon that was found in the Sumida River. By having a huge red lantern hang under the gate of Kaminari-mon (thunder gate) as the symbol, vendors selling traditional snacks and souvenirs are standing side by side on both sides of the alley leading to the temple. In front of the main hall, you will find a crowd surrounding billowing white smoke. The smoke is believed to have a healing power and many people come here seek to be cured by rubbing in the white smoke in troubling areas of their bodies. The entire grounds of temple and surrounding areas filled with old styled stores retain the atmosphere of old-time in Tokyo.
Address: 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo Tel: 03-3842-0181 Access: 1 mins. walk from Asakusa Sta. on Subway Asakusa Line and Ginza Line, and the Tobu Line
Asahi Beer Headquarters Building, built over the site of where the Asahi brewery used to stand and was making beer for more than a century, in 1989. Asahi beer is one of the most popular beer breweries in Japan and the taste of Japanese beer has also been popular in overseas. Two buildings in the area stand out with the heights and distinctive features. Designed by a French renowned architect, Philippe Starck, the taller building is designed to model after a jug of beer and the 100 tall building is covered in golden beer color is topped with a foam-shaped roof in whitish color. The adjacent shorter building has a shape of the glass in black and has a huge gold object in a shape of flame or whip cream on top of it. There's a restaurant on top of the building and you can taste beer.
Address: 1-23-1 Azumabashi, Sumida-ku, Tokyo Tel: 03-5608-5136 Access: 3 mins walk from Asakusa Sta. on Subway Ginza and Asakusa Line
The Sumida River is famous for the fireworks display held every summer. The event draws a great number of people coming to see more than 20,000 fireworks decorate the night sky over the Sumida River, which can also be watched on TV at home. The river has closely tied with lives of people living nearby as it used to function as a main route for transportation. The transportation system sill remains till today as waterbuses running between Hinode Pier to Asakusa and Yakata boats that is a Japanese style boat with tatami floor. With the well preserved nature and its beauty, the river is beloved by residents of Tokyo. In spring, people come to enjoy views of the famous cherry trees lined banks of the river. The cherry trees, spring time, and the Sumida River are remembered by many Japanese as they often appear in popular folk songs and poems.
Even in these modern times, Tokyo's Taito Ward has strived to preserve its many traditional arts and crafts. Taito is famous for its superior craftsmanship - in fact, 27 of the 40 arts and crafts designated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government originated there. This museum opened in 1996 in order to showcase these local arts and crafts which include scissors, combs, furniture, silverware, embroidery and more. There are about 400 items on display representing more than 50 different crafts from the Taito Ward and other areas. On weekends, visitors can see demonstrations by master craftsmen. There are also videos of the craft making process.
Located in Asakusa's main entertainment district, this street is lined with kitchen supply shops. Its history dates back to 1912 when merchants started selling old tools and hardware in the area. Today, visitors can find all kinds of restaurant equipment here, including bakery equipment, tableware, china, lacquerware, packaging, decorative goods, plastic food samples, furniture, food ingredients, chef's clothing, signs, displays and much, much more. With more than 170 shops crammed along 800 meters, this is Japan's largest shopping area for kitchen and restaurant supplies.
Address: Midway between Ueno and Asakusa Access: 5-min. walk from Tawaramachi Sta. 5-min. walk from Asakusa Sta.(Tsukuba Express)
Visiting sightseeing spots by rickshaw is a very unique experience in the historical district of Asakusa. Jidaiya offers rickshaw guide service here and customers can choose from several types of tour courses. Baggage check and souvenir photos, where visitors can wear traditional Japanese or Western costumes, are also available. Jidaiya is very close to the Kaminari-mon Gate, a popular spot in Asakusa.
Address: 2-3-4 Kaminarimon, Taito-ku, Tokyo Tel: 03-3843-0890 Access: 3-min. walk from Asakusa Sta(ginza line). 1-min. wakk from Asakusa Sta. (Asakusa Line)
Sightseeing Spots in Asakusa(Tokyo)
