Sensoji Temple – The Heart of Asakusa
Sensoji Temple in Asakusa is the oldest and most famous temple in Tokyo with a history going back 1,400 years. This temple is dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy, and it is incredibly popular with millions of people visiting every year. Read more
Kaminarimon – Asakusa’s Thunder Gate
The Kaminarimon Gate with its giant red lantern is Asakusa’s most famous landmark and meeting spot, and you will find its image on countless local sightseeing brochures and souvenirs. Tourists from all over the world come to have their picture taken in front of this dramatic lantern. Read more
Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center is not just a valuable source of sightseeing advice, but one of Asakusa’s newest sightseeing attractions. Read more
Nakamise Shopping Street
Nakamise is the most famous shopping street in Asakusa. The street runs for 250 meters on the main approach to Sensoji Temple and is lined on both sides with shops selling traditional souvenirs, snacks, and sweets. Read more
Asakusa Jinja Shrine
Asakusa Jinja Shrine, is a shrine of the native Japanese Shinto religion, which is located very close to the famous Buddhist temple of Sensoji. The shrine is much smaller than its grand neighbor, and compared with the bustling crowds at Sensoji, the shrine’s grounds are much more peaceful. The shrine buildings are also some of the oldest in Tokyo, and are beautifully decorated. Read more
Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree is a broadcasting tower and a major sightseeing attraction in Tokyo. The tower’s soaring white structure is clearly visible from many parts of the city, and is an essential stop on any Tokyo trip.
The tower opened to the public in 2012 and is now one of Tokyo’s most famous landmarks. Tokyo Skytree includes a range of facilities for visitors, which include observation decks, souvenir shops, two cafes and a restaurant. The tower is also the focal point of the Tokyo Skytree Town commercial development. This includes the Tokyo Solamachi mixed-use complex which stands on either side of the tower and provides a wide range of shopping, dining, and entertainment facilities. Read more
Denboin Street
Denboin Street (also called Denboin-dori) is a quaint, old-fashioned shopping street that runs from the west side of Nakamise Street for about 200 meters. Denboin Street is very well preserved, with many traditional shop buildings dating date back a hundred years or more. This is a great location for finding some unique souvenirs while enjoying the atmosphere of old Edo (the old name for Tokyo). Many of the shops here have been in the same family for generations, and sell hand-crafted goods, foods, and accessories that you can only buy in Asakusa. Read more
Asakusa Hanayashiki Amusement Park
Hanayashiki is the oldest amusement park in Japan and dates back to 1853 when it first opened as a botanical garden. The name “Hanayashiki” actually means “public flower garden” and there is still a small garden area with a pond and ornamental bridge on the grounds. Today however the park operates mainly as an old-fashioned fairground and boasts Japan’s oldest working roller coaster which has been running since 1953. Read more
Taikokan Drum Museum
Taikokan Drum Museum is a traditional drum museum in Asakusa that first opened in 1988, and is the world’s first museum dedicated to the subject of drums. Read more
Chingodo Shrine
Chingodo is a small Shinto shrine on Denboin Street which is unusual in that it is dedicated to a furry little animal called the “tanuki”. For this reason, Chingodo also has the nickname “Otanuki-sama” which basically means “Honorable Mr. Tanuki”. This is a peaceful little shrine with a rather charming history. Read more
Denboin Residence & Garden
Surprisingly few people who visit Asakusa are aware that just to the west of the bustling street market of Nakamise there is a large, tranquil garden with beautiful scenery called Denboin Teien. This garden is an island of calm in the middle of Asakusa, and as it is usually only open to the public once a year, viewing it is a very rare and special experience indeed. Read more
