Asakusa () is the center of Tokyo's shitamachi (literally "low city"), one of Tokyo's districts, where an atmosphere of the Tokyo of past decades survives.
Asakusa's main attraction is Sensoji, a very popular Buddhist temple, built in the 7th century. The temple is approached via the Nakamise, 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.
However, large parts of Asakusa were destroyed in the air raids of 1945. And while the area around the rebuilt Sensoji has since regained its former popularity, the same cannot be said for Asakusa's entertainment district. The opening of the 634 meter tall Tokyo Skytree, a twenty minute walk across the Sumida River from Asakusa, has led to an increase of tourists again.
Temples and shrines
Shopping
Other attractions
Dining
Getting there and around
Asakusa is served by the Ginza Subway Line, Asakusa Subway Line, Tsukuba Express and Tobu Railway. It can also be accessed by the Tokyo Water Bus.
From Tokyo Station
Take the JR Yamanote Line to Kanda Station (2 minutes, 150 yen) and transfer to the Ginza Subway Line for Asakusa (10 minutes, 180 yen).
From Shinjuku Station
Take the orange JR Chuo Line to Kanda Station (10 minutes, 180 yen) and transfer to the Ginza Subway Line for Asakusa (10 minutes, 180 yen).
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
English
Japanese
Asakusa Shrine
Official website.Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
Official website.Asakusa Nakamise
Official website.Asakusa Shin-Nakamise
Official website.Rox
Official website.Matsuya Asakusa
Official website.Tokyo Water Cruise
Official website.Hanayashiki Amusement Park
Official website.Taikokan
Official website.Kamiya Bar
Official website.Asakusa Umezono
Official website.Suzukien Nanaya Gelato
Official website.Asakusa Kagetsudo
Official website.Hotels around Tokyo
Top rated in Asakusa
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cyashitsu ryokan asakusaSituated in Tokyo, 300 metres from Asakusa Fujiasama Shrine and 7.5 km from the centre, cyashitsu ryokan asakusa features air-conditioned accommodation with free WiFi, and an open-air bath. This 3-star ryokan offers a lift and full-day security. The ryokan offers a hot tub and luggage storage space. At the ryokan, the units come with a wardrobe. Each unit has a safety deposit box and some rooms include city views. The units are equipped with heating facilities. At the ryokan, the family-friendly restaurant is open for dinner and specialises in Japanese cuisine. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Popular points of interest near cyashitsu ryokan asakusa include Nitenmon Gate, Edo Taito Traditional Crafts Center and Hozomon Gate. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 24 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Kaminarimon RyokanIdeally set in the centre of Tokyo, Kaminarimon Ryokan offers Asian breakfast and free WiFi throughout the property. Popular points of interest nearby include Hozomon Gate, Nitenmon Gate and Asakusa ROX Shopping Center. The property is non-smoking and is set 300 metres from Asakusa Public Hall. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a shower. The rooms include a kettle, while selected rooms also feature a terrace and others also feature city views. At Kaminarimon Ryokan the rooms come with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Drum Museum, Komagatado and Asakusa Station. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 22 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Tokyo Hikari GuesthouseLocated in Tokyo, 300 metres from Kuramae Mizu no Yakata, Tokyo Hikari Guesthouse features views of the city. With a garden, the 2-star hostel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. The accommodation provides a shared kitchen, a shared lounge and luggage storage for guests. Popular points of interest near the hostel include Kuramae Jinja Shrine, Jinnai Shrine and Choju-in Temple. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 21 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Asakusa HomeSuites TokyoConveniently situated in the Taito district of Tokyo, Asakusa HomeSuites Tokyo is located 500 metres from Rinko-ji Temple, 400 metres from Drum Museum and 400 metres from Asakusa ROX Shopping Center. This 3-star hotel offers room service and free WiFi. The property is 6.6 km from the city centre and 100 metres from Kappabashi-dori Shopping Street. Guest rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a fridge, a microwave, a kettle, a bidet, free toiletries and a desk. The hotel provides certain rooms that include a safety deposit box, and each room is equipped with a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. At Asakusa HomeSuites Tokyo every room includes bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Matsuba Park, Kinryu Park and Sogenji Temple. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 23 km from Asakusa HomeSuites Tokyo.View on Booking.com -
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Resol Poshtel Tokyo AsakusaIdeally set in the Taito district of Tokyo, Resol Poshtel Tokyo Asakusa is set 300 metres from Drum Museum, 300 metres from Kappabashi-dori Shopping Street and 500 metres from Kinryu Park. Featuring a shared lounge, the 1-star capsule hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. The property is 6.8 km from the city centre and 200 metres from Asakusa ROX Shopping Center. At the capsule hotel the rooms come with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near Resol Poshtel Tokyo Asakusa include Asakusa Public Hall, Sogenji Temple and Honpo-ji Temple. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 24 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
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MIMARU Tokyo Asakusa StationSet in the Taito district in Tokyo, MIMARU Tokyo Asakusa Station offers 4-star rooms with free WiFi. The property is around 500 metres from Sumida Riverside Hall, 500 metres from Chiisanagarasunohonno Museum and 300 metres from World Bags and Luggage Museum. The property is non-smoking and is located 200 metres from Asakusa Station. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Popular points of interest near MIMARU Tokyo Asakusa Station include Komagatado, Hozomon Gate and Nitenmon Gate. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 22 km away.View on Booking.com -
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ENT TERRACE AsakusaA recently renovated property, ENT TERRACE Asakusa is set in Tokyo near Honpo-ji Temple, Eiken-ji Temple and Matsuba Park. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and a lift, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The aparthotel features family rooms. The units in the aparthotel are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a kitchen, a dining area, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a bidet, slippers and a hair dryer. An oven, a microwave and toaster are also featured, as well as a kettle. At the aparthotel, the units are equipped with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the aparthotel include Kappabashi-dori Shopping Street, Drum Museum and Kuramae Jinja Shrine. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 22 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Ryokan Kamogawa AsakusaRyokan Kamogawa Asakusa is a 2-minute walk from Kaminarimon and Sensoji Temple. Asakusa Subway Station is a 5-minute walk away. The hotel offers Japanese-style accommodation with a free private bath and free internet. Guestrooms feature tatami-mat flooring and traditional futon bedding. Each room is equipped with a Japanese tea set, a fridge and a flat-screen TV. Kamogawa Asakusa Ryokan is a 5-minute walk from Tobu Train Station and a 10-minute drive from Tokyo City Air Terminal.View on Booking.com -
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MIMARU SUITES Tokyo AsakusaSituated in the Taito district in Tokyo, MIMARU SUITES Tokyo Asakusa offers 4-star rooms with free WiFi. Popular points of interest nearby include Ushijima Shrine, Asakusa Station and Komagatado. The property is 400 metres from Great Tokyo Air Raid Memorial Monument, and within 7.3 km of the city centre. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. The rooms have a wardrobe. Popular points of interest near MIMARU SUITES Tokyo Asakusa include Nitenmon Gate, Hozomon Gate and Honryuin Matsuchiyama Shoden. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 22 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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KOKO HOTEL Residence Asakusa TawaramachiWell set in the Taito district of Tokyo, KOKO HOTEL Residence Asakusa Tawaramachi is situated 500 metres from Matsuba Park, 100 metres from Eiken-ji Temple and 500 metres from Kappabashi-dori Shopping Street. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. The property is non-smoking and is located 200 metres from Honpo-ji Temple. All units are equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a kettle, a bidet, free toiletries and a desk. With a private bathroom equipped with a shower and a hairdryer, rooms at the hotel also provide guests with free WiFi. Popular points of interest near KOKO HOTEL Residence Asakusa Tawaramachi include Rinko-ji Temple, Drum Museum and Tokaku-ji Temple. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 22 km away.View on Booking.com
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Tokyo Restaurants
Recommended in Tokyo
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Udatsu SushiAwarded One Star in 2024 - People from around the world visit to experience Mr. Udatsu's sushi. Inside the restaurant, which resembles an art gallery with its modern decor and numerous artworks, guests can enjoy sushi crafted from the highest quality ingredients. While the foundation is traditional nigiri, the menu also features original creations born from the chef's relentless curiosity and innovation.View on JapanEatinerary -
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WaketokuyamaAwarded One Star in 2025 - With a meticulous focus on allowing guests to enjoy seasonal ingredients at their peak, the menu changes approximately every two weeks. The signature dish, "Grilled Abalone with Seaweed Aroma," features thick slices of abalone generously coated in a rich liver sauce, offering an exquisite taste of the sea.View on JapanEatinerary -
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Fry-yaExquisite fried dishes crafted by a head chef with experience earning stars in both Switzerland and Japan. The remarkably light tonkatsu is a favorite not only among Japanese diners but also among visitors to Japan. With the theme of "small portions, many varieties," guests can enjoy sampling a wide selection of tonkatsu in smaller portions.View on JapanEatinerary -
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TEMPURA & WINE SHINOThe kind of restaurant that is known only to true gourmets, serving as a sort of "Hidden gem". In a chic space with black walls and a ceiling adorned in gold, you can enjoy tempura with a light and elegant texture, delicately fried using refined techniques to achieve a thin, white batter that minimizes the aroma of oil. Savor tempura that maximizes the flavors of the ingredients, paired with Champagne and Burgundy wines carefully selected by the sommelier.View on JapanEatinerary -
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HikarimonoWith a prime location and quality that rivals high-end sushi restaurants, this restaurant maintains the goal of being a place for everyday dining. It offers a casual and relaxed atmosphere, free from stiffness or formality. The signature "Hikari-maki," featuring ingredients such as sardines, pickled plum, and bettarazuke (sweet pickled radish), boasts unique flavors that are especially popular among international visitors.View on JapanEatinerary -
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Daikanyama Issai KassaiThe owner, Shinji Odahara, boasts a 30-year career in Japanese cuisine and has the remarkable achievement of opening a Japanese restaurant in New York that earned a star. Guests can enjoy exquisite charcoal-grilled meat dishes and rice cooked in a clay pot, all within a modern interior with dim lighting that sparks adult curiosity.View on JapanEatinerary -
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SudachiYou can enjoy dishes that make the most of seasonal ingredients, transcending the traditional boundaries of Japanese cuisine. While rooted in the traditions of Japanese cooking, the menu features unique offerings such as dishes incorporating shark fin—rarely seen in Japanese cuisine—and sushi that reflects the chef's background in sushi restaurants. At the open kitchen counter, where the lively atmosphere comes alive, you can savor the culinary creations with all five senses.View on JapanEatinerary -
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TorinaoIn a relaxed and serene atmosphere, you can enjoy exquisite yakitori made with "Koshu Kenmidori" chicken, grilled to perfection over Kishu Binchotan charcoal for a delightful aroma. The tender and fluffy tsukune (chicken meatball) is particularly popular for its juicy flavor. Additionally, the carefully selected Japanese sake, chosen by the owner, pairs wonderfully with the yakitori.View on JapanEatinerary -
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IchiuChef Hamano is renowned for his experience training at three different two-star restaurants. In addition to sushi, he has honed his skills in Japanese cuisine at the esteemed Akasaka Kikunoi, giving him a strong foundation in traditional Japanese culinary techniques.When it comes to nigiri, he is meticulous not only about the toppings but also the rice. He uses a premium rice variety from Akita, enhanced with two types of red vinegar and plum vinegar to create a refreshing flavor.View on JapanEatinerary -
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Yakiniku OnukiThe restaurant is proud of its "Tare Yakiniku" (grilled meat with sauce), which is made from Japanese black beef that has inherited the "excellent sauce" from the main restaurant, and is so tender that it melts in your mouth. The beef tongue is also superb. The thickly cut beef tongue is very difficult to grill, so the waiter grills it and serves it to you. Enjoy a blissful moment with wine that pairs well with the meat.View on JapanEatinerary
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Experiences around Tokyo
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Katsura Sunshine: Rakugo Comic Storytelling in EnglishTraditional Japanese ''Rakugo'' Comic Storytelling presented in English by Broadway sensation Katsura Sunshine. Performed in a charming theatre tucked away in Asakusa, one of Tokyo's most vibrant and fascinating neighborhoods.View experienceSponsored
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Top rated in Tokyo
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Most Popular Sushi Making Class & Cooking Class in TokyoYou can learn how to make **Maki-Sushi (Roll-Sushi) & Temari-Sushi** or **Maki-Sushi (Roll-Sushi) & Nigiri Sushi**View on Klook -
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Japanese Traditional Kintsugi Experience in TokyoDiscover the Japanese traditional technique of transforming broken ceramic objects into revitalized art pieces, KintsugiView on Klook -
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Best Samurai Experience in TokyoYou will be dressed in traditional samurai attire, including a kimono and hakama, to truly embody the spirit of these ancient warriorsView on Klook -
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Crafting Your Own Unique Edo Kiriko Glass in AsakusaExperience the time-honored traditional craft of Edo Kiriko, which has continued since the Edo period first-hand.View on Klook -
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Samurai Trial Cutting Experience of Japanese Swords in TokyoIaido, an ancient Japanese martial art, traces its origins back to the era of samurai warriorsView on Klook -
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Tokyo Private Custom Highlight Tour with Licensed Guide (4/8h)Enjoy a day tour or a customizable half day tour with a private group in Tokyo!View on Klook -
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Tokyo, Japan | One-day tour by chartered car*Tokyo has many sightseeing spots and experience activities, ranging from historical sites to futuristic locationsView on Klook -
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Kimono rental & photography experience in AsakusaTake the subway to Asakusa Station (Ginza Line) Exit 4 and walk for 20 seconds. It is 220 meters away from Sensoji Kaminarimon Gate. The location is perfect!View on Klook -
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Asakusa Kimono&Yukata Rental at Kimono Miyabi Asakusa in Main Branch**Klook Exclusive Free Next Day Return! Limited Time Only!** Show this message and return your Kimono the next day for FREE for rental during Sep 15 - Dec 15, 2023. Exclusions applied to Formal Kimono Furisode and Homongi. See What to Expect for more detailsView on Klook -
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Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament TourCome face to face with Japanese culture that has been kept alive through many years, such as the presence of a referee which began in the Sengoku period (about 1467-1603)View on Klook
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