“Asakusa is one of the most popular tourist destinations for both Japanese and foreigners. It is the place where you can feel Japan the most in Tokyo, as it is firmly rooted in the culture that has been passed down from generation to generation, such as temples, shrines, rickshaws, Japanese food, Japanese sweets, and ryokan(japanese inns). Here are some reasons why Asakusa is a fun town and its charms.
Asakusa Kaminarimon, the gate of Sensoji Temple, is famous all over Japan as the face of Asakusa. There are two buddhist deities enshrined here: whose name are Fujin on the right side and Raijin on the left side, to ward off natural disasters. The official name of the gate is “Fujin Raijin Gate”. The lantern hanging in the center of the gate is 3.9 meters high, 3.3 meters in diameter, and weighs 700 kilograms. It welcomes you with an overwhelming presence. Sensoji Temple is the oldest temple in Tokyo, with a five-story pagoda and a hexagonal hall built around the main hall. The main deity of the temple is the Bodhisattva kannon, who is popularly known as “Kannon-sama”. The temple is also known as “Asakusa Kannon,” and is visited by about 30 million people a year. The garden at Denbo-in, the main temple of Senso-ji Temple, was designated as a national scenic spot in 2011.
The observatory at 350 meters above the ground has a 360-degree view of the tower with large glass panels over 5 meters in diameter, and an open design that allows you to see from the foot of the tower to about 70 kilometers away. Another 100 meters up, at 450 meters above the ground, is the “Tembo galleria,” a tube-shaped glass galleria that takes you from floor 445 to floor 450, the highest floor in the tower. At the SKY TREE CAFE on Floor 340, you can also enjoy the “Teppenpen Sundae,” a sweet of soft ice cream topped with green tea warabi mochi and strawberries.
[blogcard url=”https://arigatomedia.jp/play/tokyo-skytree/”]
The Sanja Festival is one of Tokyo’s most popular festivals, held every May at Asakusa Shrine in Asakusa. More than one million people are expected to attend the festival every year, and it is famous for the three mikoshi (portable shrines) that are paraded through the streets.
Furthermore, there are also performances such as the Binzasara Dance and the Teko Dance performed by the Geiko. Especially, the Binzasara dance is a traditional performing art that is designated as an intangible cultural asset of Tokyo. It is a type of dengaku dance performed to pray for a good harvest, and is rarely performed outside of the Sanja Festival nowadays.
In addition, there are many other performances, such as the dance of the white hare and the Ohayashi (musical performance), where you can become familiar with many aspects of Japanese traditional culture.
In addition to sightseeing on foot, riding around Asakusa on a rickshaw is a great way to see the sights in a different way, and if it is your first time, you will enjoy it even more.
Since you can freely go into places that are not accessible by car, you can directly feel the atmosphere of the place as it is, and enjoy Asakusa deeply.
The main rickshaw shop is Ebisuya, and the rickshaw stop is located in front of Kaminarimon gate. Therefore, you can go around Kaminarimon gate and Nakamise street, and then take a rickshaw to the other spots you want to visit. Moreover, the courses are divided into one section, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and 120 minutes, so you can change the course according to your convenience and budget.
Hanayashiki is Japan’s oldest amusement park, and is unusually homey for Tokyo, with an atmosphere full of Japanese old town. The slogan of the oldest existing roller coaster in Japan, born in 1953, is “The maximum speed is only 42 km/h! You can also enjoy the thrill of running through the eaves of houses. There is also a ninja experience dojo where you can actually feel like a ninja by reservation. And you will be taught four ninja skills in 60 minutes and receive a certificate of completion.
You can also enjoy sightseeing in Tokyo from the river on a Yakata-bune (traditional cruise houseboat) or a water bus. Yakata-bune is especially recommended. The speed of the yakata-bune is slower, so you can eat on board. All the dishes are made with the best seasonal ingredients of the season, and you can enjoy tempura and fresh seafood dishes. You can also enjoy tempura and fresh seafood. In the winter, a hot pot menu is available to warm you up, so you can enjoy the perfect dish for the season on board.
The boat also covers seasonal events, so you can enjoy the Sumida River fireworks display in summer, cherry blossom viewing in spring, and illumination viewing in winter from the water.
Asakusa culture sightseeing center is located in front of Asakusa Kaminarimon, a one-minute walk from Exit 2 of Asakusa Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, where it has a tourist information center that anyone can use. There is also a foreign currency exchange counter on the first floor.
The second floor is a tourist information corner, complete with magazines and computers to search for information, as well as a power supply and Wi-Fi, so you can look up tourist information well in advance.
It is also a family friendly spot with nursing room for babies. Moreover, the eighth floor is an observation terrace with free admission, where you can see the iconic Kaminarimon gate and the Tokyo Skytree.
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Sensoji Temple, the symbol of Asakusa
Asakusa Kaminarimon, the gate of Sensoji Temple, is famous all over Japan as the face of Asakusa. There are two buddhist deities enshrined here: whose name are Fujin on the right side and Raijin on the left side, to ward off natural disasters. The official name of the gate is “Fujin Raijin Gate”. The lantern hanging in the center of the gate is 3.9 meters high, 3.3 meters in diameter, and weighs 700 kilograms. It welcomes you with an overwhelming presence. Sensoji Temple is the oldest temple in Tokyo, with a five-story pagoda and a hexagonal hall built around the main hall. The main deity of the temple is the Bodhisattva kannon, who is popularly known as “Kannon-sama”. The temple is also known as “Asakusa Kannon,” and is visited by about 30 million people a year. The garden at Denbo-in, the main temple of Senso-ji Temple, was designated as a national scenic spot in 2011.
Asakusa entertainment
Tokyo Sky Tree
The observatory at 350 meters above the ground has a 360-degree view of the tower with large glass panels over 5 meters in diameter, and an open design that allows you to see from the foot of the tower to about 70 kilometers away. Another 100 meters up, at 450 meters above the ground, is the “Tembo galleria,” a tube-shaped glass galleria that takes you from floor 445 to floor 450, the highest floor in the tower. At the SKY TREE CAFE on Floor 340, you can also enjoy the “Teppenpen Sundae,” a sweet of soft ice cream topped with green tea warabi mochi and strawberries.
[blogcard url=”https://arigatomedia.jp/play/tokyo-skytree/”]
Sanja Festival
The Sanja Festival is one of Tokyo’s most popular festivals, held every May at Asakusa Shrine in Asakusa. More than one million people are expected to attend the festival every year, and it is famous for the three mikoshi (portable shrines) that are paraded through the streets.
Furthermore, there are also performances such as the Binzasara Dance and the Teko Dance performed by the Geiko. Especially, the Binzasara dance is a traditional performing art that is designated as an intangible cultural asset of Tokyo. It is a type of dengaku dance performed to pray for a good harvest, and is rarely performed outside of the Sanja Festival nowadays.
In addition, there are many other performances, such as the dance of the white hare and the Ohayashi (musical performance), where you can become familiar with many aspects of Japanese traditional culture.
Rickshaws
In addition to sightseeing on foot, riding around Asakusa on a rickshaw is a great way to see the sights in a different way, and if it is your first time, you will enjoy it even more.
Since you can freely go into places that are not accessible by car, you can directly feel the atmosphere of the place as it is, and enjoy Asakusa deeply.
The main rickshaw shop is Ebisuya, and the rickshaw stop is located in front of Kaminarimon gate. Therefore, you can go around Kaminarimon gate and Nakamise street, and then take a rickshaw to the other spots you want to visit. Moreover, the courses are divided into one section, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and 120 minutes, so you can change the course according to your convenience and budget.
Hanayashiki
Hanayashiki is Japan’s oldest amusement park, and is unusually homey for Tokyo, with an atmosphere full of Japanese old town. The slogan of the oldest existing roller coaster in Japan, born in 1953, is “The maximum speed is only 42 km/h! You can also enjoy the thrill of running through the eaves of houses. There is also a ninja experience dojo where you can actually feel like a ninja by reservation. And you will be taught four ninja skills in 60 minutes and receive a certificate of completion.
Sumida River Cruise
You can also enjoy sightseeing in Tokyo from the river on a Yakata-bune (traditional cruise houseboat) or a water bus. Yakata-bune is especially recommended. The speed of the yakata-bune is slower, so you can eat on board. All the dishes are made with the best seasonal ingredients of the season, and you can enjoy tempura and fresh seafood dishes. You can also enjoy tempura and fresh seafood. In the winter, a hot pot menu is available to warm you up, so you can enjoy the perfect dish for the season on board.
The boat also covers seasonal events, so you can enjoy the Sumida River fireworks display in summer, cherry blossom viewing in spring, and illumination viewing in winter from the water.
The character of Edo (old Tokyo) people
As Asakusa is a lively place with a old town atmosphere that still retains the sense of duty and humanity of the Edo people. The character of Edo people is bright and energetic, and just talking with them will bring a smile to your face. You can feel an atmosphere that you cannot experience in Shibuya or Shinjuku even in Tokyo.Accommodation in Asakusa
There are many accommodations in Asakusa, but we would like to introduce four ryokan (Japanese style inns) and hotels in Asakusa that are especially recommended for international tourists. You’re sure to find the perfect place to stay, featuring a uniquely Japanese atmosphere and interior design, a place where you can enjoy the scenic beauty of Asakusa, or a place with a natural hot spring. You can also be relieved that all of them are well-prepared for the COVID19.Asakusa Hotel Hatago
“Asakusa Hotel Hatago,” a Japanese-style hotel with a panoramic view of Tokyo from the observation lounge Just a two-minute walk from Asakusa Station on the Toei Asakusa Line, the Asakusa Hotel Hatago is a hotel with an observation lounge that overlooks Sky Tree, the Sumida River, and the Tokyo night view. The interior of the hotel is decorated in a Japanese style down to the last detail. All the guest rooms are with tatami mats, with shoji paper screens, writing desks, and wallpaper, giving the hotel a calm and relaxing atmosphere that makes you feel the emotions of Edo. When the Sumida River fireworks is held every July, the event takes place right in front of the hotel, making it a great place to watch the fireworks.Ryoun no Yu Onyado Nono Asakusa
“Ryoun no Yu Onyado Nono Asakusa”, an authentic hot spring and ryokan experience in the city Just 4 minutes from Asakusa Station on the Tsukuba Express, Ryoun no Yu Onyado Nono Asakusa is a new type of Japanese-style business hotel that combines a business hotel and a ryokan. The entire hotel is covered with tatami mats, so you can take off your shoes in the guest rooms, elevators, and hallways and feel relaxed. The breakfast, which is based on the concept of “boosting immunity”, is also popular. There is an unlimited choice of about 20 cold and hot dishes, such as side dishes and salads, served in individual containers for your safety. Also, the soup with plenty of ginger will warm you up well.Hotel Wing International Select Asakusa Komagata
“Hotel Wing International Select Asakusa Komagata”, where you can enjoy a spectacular view from the observation terrace and guest rooms Hotel Wing International Select Asakusa Komagata is perfectly located for sightseeing in Asakusa, with a spectacular view of the Tokyo Skytree and the Sumida River from its observation terrace, and a short walk from the elevator exit of Asakusa Station on the Sky Access Line and Toei Asakusa Line. The hotel and guest rooms are decorated in a modern Japanese style, providing a compact yet functional and relaxing space. There are also facilities around the hotel where you can enjoy a variety of cultural experiences, such as trying on rental kimonos, sightseeing by rickshaw, and making food samples and tonbo-dama, etc. The concierge at the front desk can assist you with reservations.Prostyle ryokan
“Prostyle ryokan” with the comfort of a ryokan and the functionality of a hotel A five-minute walk from Asakusa Station on the Tobu Skytree Line, the “Prostyle Ryokan” is a Japanese inn located in inspite of the downtown area, with a relaxed atmosphere where you can take a break and relax. In addition to a space where you can relax as if you were at home, all the rooms have tatami mats in order to give you a feeling of a Japanese home. Currently, due to the effects of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19), there may be changes in business hours, temporary closures, or changes in services, so it is necessary to check in advance. I hope you enjoy your stay in Asakusa. Stay in Asakusa and enjoy the sights as much as you can.Check here for tourist information “Asakusa Culture Tourism Center”
Asakusa culture sightseeing center is located in front of Asakusa Kaminarimon, a one-minute walk from Exit 2 of Asakusa Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, where it has a tourist information center that anyone can use. There is also a foreign currency exchange counter on the first floor.
The second floor is a tourist information corner, complete with magazines and computers to search for information, as well as a power supply and Wi-Fi, so you can look up tourist information well in advance.
It is also a family friendly spot with nursing room for babies. Moreover, the eighth floor is an observation terrace with free admission, where you can see the iconic Kaminarimon gate and the Tokyo Skytree.
