See the locations on
Treasures of Tokyo Google Map
First have a look at Asakusa from the top? Then we recommend Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center with its free 8th floor observation deck.
Yanaka (谷中) is one of the few districts in Tokyo where the shitamachi atmosphere, an old town ambience reminiscent of Tokyo from past decades, still survives. It is within walking distance of Ueno Park. Read
Yanaka: Tokyo’s Most Traditional District and
Frommers Walking Tour 4 in Tokyo.
Yanaka Ginza
Senso-ji temple 浅草寺: Also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple. One of Tokyo's most colorful and popular Buddhist temples and Tokyo's oldest temple (completed in 645). You enter through the
Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate). A shopping street of over 200 meters, called
Nakamise, leads from the outer gate to the temple's second gate, the
Hozomon. Beyond you find the
main hall and a
five storied pagoda. Destroyed in the war, the buildings are 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.
Kaminari-mon:
The Kaminari-mon (Thunder Gate) lantern has to be steadied by guy wires, it's nearly 700 kg heavy.
Nakamise 仲見世 shopping street: An arcade of more than 90 shops. You smell grilled rice crackers, ningyo-yaki (hot buns filled with bean paste) and temple incense. And the shops offer unique souvenirs: Bangasa (oil-paper umbrellas), paper and silk fans, hair ornaments and yukata (summer kimono). But you will as well discover Hyotan-ya, which stocks accessories for shamisen, a plucked, three-stringed instrument, and Komachi Hair, which features elaborate wigs of synthetic or human hair in updos or shimadamage.
Hozomon:
The five storied pagoda:
The main hall:
May be
Asakusa Owl Restaurant is worth a stop too:
If you need something for your kitchen we recommend
Kappabashi Dogugai かっぱ橋道具街 (Kitchen street):
Tokyo Skytree: Gaze out from the 634m Tokyo Skytree's twin observatories (350m and 450m).
Ushijima Shrine: Nade-ushi, a cow statue, is said to have healing properties, if you touch it.
Sumida Park:
Yoroiya: Get Shoyu ramen (seafood- and meat-based soup).
Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku: Tokyo's oldest onigiri specialist, where riceballs are served from behind a hardwood counter.
Yoshiwara 吉原: The redlight destrict in Taito, full of soaplands, Nothing to see but men trying to lure in other men. Read a fine background story:
A walk in the sex park: Yoshiwara and the Tokyo bordello
Senzo-ku 4-Chome, Yoshiwara
If you don't like to walk around in Yoshiwara, you can just have a look at
Japan's redlightstreets on instagram.
But there is an interesting shop nearby:
Okano Yayoi Shouten, that sells souvenirs called Shin Yoshiwara. It's logo proudly represents what Yoshiwara stands for. The pair of female breasts carries the characters of the name inside them, simple and classy:
Yayoi Okano has grown up in Yoshiwara (read
here). She decided to design Yoshiwara souvenirs together with her friend and designer Daisuke Yokoyama. On her instagram account
Yayoi Okano presents her creations.
From Asakusa you can travel on
Sumida River by boats. Read:
Tokyo Water Bus
From Narita Airport there are direct trains to Asakusa and other conncections:
Narita Airport - Asakusa
Nearby Asakusa:
Tokyo National Museum: Six architecturally striking buildings, gardens and tea houses.
The garden
Read more:
Asakusa Guide and
65 things to do in Asakusa
When Sensoji Closes: Asakusa Nightlife
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