Asakusa

District with an atmosphere of old Tokyo
•••Recommended
★★★★★
4.2 (3,945)
#5 of 81 most visited in Tokyo

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.

Sensoji on a busy day

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

  • Kaminarimon (Kaminari Gate)
    Hours: Always open
    Admission: Free
    Kaminarimon is the first of two large entrance gates leading to Sensoji Temple. First built more than 1000 years ago, it is the symbol of Asakusa. The Nakamise shopping street leads from Kaminarimon to the temple grounds.
  • Sensoji Temple
    Hours: 6:00 to 17:00 (from 6:30 October to March)
    Admission: Free
    Sensoji ("Senso" is an alternative reading for Asakusa and "ji" means temple) is Tokyo's most famous and popular temple. Built in the 7th century, it is also one of its oldest, although the current buildings are postwar reconstructions.
  • Asakusa Shrine
    Hours: Always open
    Admission: Free
    Asakusa Shrine, also known as Sanja-sama, was built during the Edo Period and survived the air raids of 1945. The shrine's festival, the Sanja Matsuri, is one of Tokyo's most spectacular and popular. It is held every year on a weekend (Friday to Sunday) in mid May.
  • Dempoin Temple
    Not usually open to the public
    Dempoin is a temple just next to Sensoji, known for its beautiful garden. Unfortunately, the temple and garden are not open to the public except during occasional special openings. Visiting the garden by appointment is not possible either anymore.

Shopping

  • Nakamise Shopping Street
    Hours depend on the individual shops; typically daily from 9:00 to 18:00
    The Nakamise shopping street stretches over approximately 250 meters from Kaminarimon to the main grounds of Sensoji Temple. It is lined by more than 50 shops, which offer local specialties and the usual array of tourist souvenirs.
  • Shin-Nakamise Shopping Street
    Hours depend on the individual shops; typically daily from 10:00 to 19:00.
    Shin-Nakamise or "New Nakamise" runs perpendicular to the Nakamise Shopping Street. It is a covered shopping arcade lined by various shops and restaurants.
  • Kappabashi Shopping Street
    Hours: Most shops open from 9:00 to 17:00
    Closed: Many shops are closed on Sundays and national holidays
    Kappabashi is an almost one kilometer long street lined by shops catering to restaurant businesses. Items on sale include tableware, kitchen utensils and appliances, sample food, furniture, signs, lanterns and uniforms. The street is located about 600 meters west of Sensoji.
  • Rox Department Store
    Shops: 10:30 to 21:00 (supermarket is open 24 hours)
    Rox is a shopping and entertainment complex consisting of a main building (Rox) and three annex buildings (Rox2G, Rox3G and Rox Dome). Many shops sell fashion for ladies and kids. There is a 24h supermarket in the basement.
  • Tobu Asakusa Station & Matsuya Department Store
    Matsuya department store is open daily from 10:00 to 20:00
    Tobu Asakusa Station is the terminal station of Tobu trains heading into the suburbs and prefectures north of Tokyo, including trains to Nikko. The station building also houses a Matsuya department store that spans eight floors.
  • Asakusa Underground Street
    Hours depend on the individual shops
    The Asakusa Underground Street (Asakusa Chikagai) is one of the oldest underground shopping streets in Japan. The short passageway connects Tobu Asakusa Station to the Shin Nakamise Shopping Street and contains about 20 shops and restaurants. The arcade looks like it has remained unchanged in decades, and visitors may feel like they walked into a throwback alleyway.

Other attractions

  • Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
    Hours: 9:00 to 20:00 (observation deck until 22:00)
    Closed: No closing days
    The Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center was newly opened in 2012, adding diversity to the streets of Asakusa with its interesting architectural design. The eight story building offers a tourist information desk in multiple languages, free Wi-Fi connectivity, a cafe, and an observation deck which provides good views looking onto Sensoji Temple and the Nakamise Shopping Street.
  • Sumida River Cruise
    Tokyo Water Bus operates sightseeing ships from Asakusa Pier to Odaiba and Hinode Pier. There are also some short river cruises that start and end in Asakusa.
  • Sumida Park
    Hours: Always open
    Admission: Free
    This riverside park stretches along both sides of Sumida River for several hundred meters. In spring it becomes a popular cherry blossom viewing spot, while on the last Saturday of July it becomes the site of the Sumida River Fireworks.
  • Rokku Entertainment District
    Opening hours depend on the individual businesses
    Rokku used to be Tokyo's leading entertainment district before the war, hosting Japan's first cinema and more. However, the district has not regained its former popularity after the war. Today, Rokku offers attractions such as rakugo theaters, cinemas and pachinko parlors.
  • Hanayashiki Amusement Park
    Hours: Varies by day; typically 10:00 to 18:00
    Closed on some Tuesdays
    Admission: 1200 yen plus separate fees for rides
    Originally opened as a flower park, Hanayashiki has a history of more than 150 years. Located just a few steps from Sensoji, the miniature amusement park offers numerous attractions, including a small Ferris wheel, roller coaster, carousel and Space Shot.
  • Asahi Beer Tower
    Restaurants open 11:30 to 15:00 and 17:30 to 22:00
    The Asahi Beer Tower and Asahi Super Dry Hall with its characteristic Flamme d'Or were completed in 1989 and host the headquarters of Asahi Breweries. Furthermore, several restaurants can be found in the complex. Behind both the Beer Tower and the Super Dry Hall is the Asahi Craftmanship Brewery. The restaurant and brewery offers diners decently priced lunches as well as Asahi craft beer on tap.
  • Taikokan (Drum Museum)
    Hours: 11:00 to 16:00 (entry until 15:00)
    Closed: Mondays (except national holidays) and Tuesdays
    Admission: 500 yen
    Drums from around the world, including Japanese taiko drums, are exhibited in this small museum. Visitors can play several of the drums. The museum is located in a floor above the Miyamoto Unosuke Nishi Asakusa store, which sells Japanese drums and festival goods.

Dining

  • Kamiya Bar
    Hours: 11:00 to 21:00 (last order at 20:30)
    Closed: first and last Mondays of the month, Tuesdays
    Kamiya Bar is one of Japan's oldest bars, with a history reaching back to 1880. It was founded by Kamiya Denbe, one of the first wine producers in Japan, who also invented denki bran, a type of brandy concoction, which is still served at the Kamiya Bar. The bar has three stories, and the one on street level is the most popular. There is also a window store that sells souvenir bottles of denki bran.
  • Umezono
    Hours: 10:00 to 17:00 (until 18:00 on weekends)
    Closed on Some Wednesdays
    Umezono is a traditional Japanese sweets shop that started in 1854. Their menu contains classics like anmitsu and oshiruko in addition to seasonal favorites like shaved ice (kakigori). The shop also has a window store that sells yokan, dorayaki and other desserts to go.
  • Suzukien Nanaya Gelato
    Hours: 11:00 to 17:00
    Closed: Irregular closures
    Asakusa Suzukien Nanaya Gelato is a collaboration between Suzukien, a green tea speciality shop, and Nanaya Gelato, a gelato shop. The store claims to have the richest and most intense green tea (matcha) gelato in the world. The popular shop offers over a dozen gelato flavors including multiple matcha ones.
  • Asakusa Kagetsudo
    Hours: 11:00 until sold out (from 10:00 on weekends and national holidays)
    Asakusa Kagetsudo is a melon-pan store and restaurant that has been in business since 1945. Melon-pan is a sweet baked bread with a top that resembles the outer layer of a cantaloupe melon. Kagetsudo is most famous for their jumbo melon-pan which is best eaten warm, but also sells variations of their melon-pan that come with ice cream fillings. Japanese desserts, as well as savoury foods like soba noodles are also sold at the restaurant.
  • Tempura
    Hours depend on shops; typically 11:30 to 20:00
    There are a number of tempura shops in Asakusa, offering delicious deep fried seafood and vegetables. The area flourished in the Edo Period as a tempura location thanks to the availability of seafood products from nearby Tokyo Bay. The more well-known tempura restaurants include Daikokuya, San Sada and Owariya.
  • Unagi
    Hours depend on shops; typically 11:30 to 13:30 and 17:30 to 19:30
    There are also a handful of established unagi-ya (freshwater eel restaurants) in the area with histories of at least a hundred years. Unagi, or freshwater eel, is relatively expensive with prices starting at 2000 yen for lunch and more for dinner. Well known unagi-ya in Asakusa include Irokawa, Hatsuogawa and Maekawa.

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).

Orientation in Tokyo

Questions? Ask in our forum.

Links and Resources

English

Asakusa Nakamise

Official website.

Matsuya Asakusa

Official website.

Tokyo Water Cruise

Official website.

Hanayashiki Amusement Park

Official website.

Taikokan

Official website.

Asakusa Kagetsudo

Official website.

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

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    •
      SAKE Bar Hotel Asakusa
      A boutique hotel with free-flowing Japanese sake, two-minutes from Asakusa Station. Savor our original sake while relaxing with an open-air footbath.
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      cyashitsu ryokan asakusa
      Mid-range
      Situated 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.
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    •
      Kaminarimon Ryokan
      Luxury
      Ideally 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.
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      9.6Booking.com
    •
      Tokyo Hikari Guesthouse
      Budget-friendly
      Located 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.
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    •
      Asakusa HomeSuites Tokyo
      Mid-range
      Conveniently 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.
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    •
      Resol Poshtel Tokyo Asakusa
      Budget-friendly
      Ideally 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.
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    •
      MIMARU Tokyo Asakusa Station
      Luxury
      Set 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.
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    •
      ENT TERRACE Asakusa
      Luxury
      A 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.
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    •
      Ryokan Kamogawa Asakusa
      Mid-range
      Ryokan 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.
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    •
      MIMARU SUITES Tokyo Asakusa
      Luxury
      Situated 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.
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    •
      KOKO HOTEL Residence Asakusa Tawaramachi
      Luxury
      Well 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.
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