The 7 Best Ways to Enjoy Asakusa

Asakusa is the epitome of what makes Tokyo such a fascinating city to explore. It's a place where tradition and modernity work together in harmony. One of Tokyo's most iconic neighborhoods, Asakusa is a must-visit for any first-timer, with plenty to offer return visitors, too. 

In Asakusa, you can marvel at the thousands-year-old temple of Senso-ji, backdropped by the science-fiction-style Tokyo Skytree. Here you can take a rickshaw ride to Kappabashi Street, where the city's best chefs shop, and along the way, discover the rich culture, world-class shopping, and plenty of excellent food. 

While there's so much to see and do; knowing what to choose is the hardest part, so we've made a guide to help you out. 

Asakusa has always been popular with travelers, but surprisingly the neighborhood fared quite well in the face of COVID-19 lockdowns. There weren't too many closures, which probably speaks to the area's long-standing legacy businesses and how much locals love them.

August 2021 did see the closure of the 346-year-old sweets store Kinryuzan "Mountain of the Golden Dragon". Located on Nakamise Dori, the reason for Kinryuzan's shutdown was that there was no successor to take over the store.

Another long-serving member of the Asakusa culinary family, Chin-ya sukiyaki restaurant, shut down in the summer of 2021. After 140 years and six generations of owners, a downturn in business was the key reason behind the closure.

There are, however, still plenty of places to eat around the area. One of Asakusa's newest and most exciting establishments is the "matsuri" (festival in Japanese) themed food hall Asakusa Yokocho. Asakusa Yokocho opened in the summer of 2022 on the fourth floor of the Tokyo Rakutenchi Asakusa Building. Colorful and modern, it's an homage to the nation's traditional festival culture, complete with kimono rental on-site.

Essentially the centerpiece of Asakusa, Senso-ji Temple is one of the city's oldest landmarks. It's Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple, a spectacular piece of Japanese architecture, and a must-visit Japan landmark.

The temple's origin dates back to 628 AD when two fishermen brothers, Hinokuma Hamanari and Hinokuma Takenari, discovered a statue of the Kannon (the Goddess of Mercy) in the Sumida River. The duo brought the statue back to their village, where the town's chief and a devout Buddhist remodeled his home so locals could come and pray to the statue.

What's remarkable about the temple's origin story is that it is also the story of Asakusa; the temple was born – officially in 645 – before Asakusa as we know it existed. The temple is impressive year-round, but especially in May when it hosts the Sanja Matsuri, the shrine's official festival.

The Nakamise shopping avenue is a 250-meter-long strip of stores that run along the main approach towards Senso-ji. The street is lined by around 90 stores selling snacks and souvenirs guaranteed to delight and surprise.

The history of the shopping strip is entwined with the temple. Reports suggest that during the late 17th and early 18th centuries, it came into being as local people were granted permission to open shops on the temple grounds in exchange for cleaning services.

Some highlights along the way include kibi dango, a sweet dumpling made from mochi (Japanese rice cakes), and chocolate-coated bananas. If you're looking for some gift ideas, you'll also find stores selling t-shirts and Japanese craft items like fans and chopsticks.  

See the city from a new perspective with a ride through the streets on a rickshaw. As you stroll through Asakusa, chances are you'll cross a few rickshaw drivers dressed in traditional garb, ready to take you around.

The term rickshaw comes from the Japanese word "jinrikisha" which means human-powered carriage. As a cheaper, more accessible alternative to horse-drawn carriages, rickshaws were once a popular mode of transport in Japan, and contrary to popular assumptions, they weren't just for nobility.

Today they may not be as fast as the city's slick train networks, but they are an excellent way to see the city up close and gather local insight into the neighborhood. You generally don't have to make a booking, simply walk up to one of the drivers and ask for a ride!

Sure, Disneyland is fun, Osaka's Universal Studios has Harry Potter, and Fuji Q is home to some of the world's fastest roller coasters, but Hanayashiki Amusement Park has history and plenty of retro-charm.

Initially built as a flower park, Hanayashiki opened in 1853, making it the oldest amusement park in the country. Today it's home to a haunted house, bumper cars, a game center, restaurants serving up classic delights like hamburgers and hotdogs, and crepes, as well as three gift and toy stores.

Hanayashiki's highlight has to be its roller coaster, the oldest steel-track type in Japan. It's a scenic roller coaster offering some pretty unbeatable city views. Admission is just ¥1,000 (under $10 USD), making it quite possibly the best-value amusement park in the city.

Everyone knows Japan is home to some of the world's best chefs, so if you're a foodie, you'll want to visit Kappabashi Street. Kappabashi is the street where the legends of culinary culture come to shop.

Also known as Kappabashi Dōgugai, the shopping strip is home to a vast array of specialty stores for every cooking need imaginable. It's the best place to pick up that high-end Japanese steel kitchen knife you've been eyeing or grab a custom pair of chopsticks as a keepsake.  

Even if you're not such a cooking fanatic, it's worth a visit just to see the area's “fake food” stores. These shops selling wax and plastic replicas of food used in Japanese restaurant displays will make you question your senses.

If you want to get technical, this isn't officially a poop, but in Tokyo, many folks refer to it as such. See it for yourself, and you'll have to admit, there is an unmistakable resemblance.   

Located on the top of the offices of Asahi Breweries, the sculpture was crafted in 1989 by French designer Philippe Starck to represent "Asahi Beer's burning heart as it leaps into the new century." It's become an unofficial symbol of Asakusa and a very amusing attraction.

A little cultural note worth mentioning – so you can impress dinner guests back home – Japan has an affinity for golden poops. There’s a "good luck" charm in Japan known as “kin no unko” (golden poop) which came to be because the “un” sound at the beginning matches the “un” sound of “good luck” in Japanese. So pop by and get a pic, for good luck!

At an impressive 634 meters (2,080 feet) tall, the Tokyo Skytree is hard to miss. Luckily you wouldn't want to miss it because it's a Tokyo icon and, from the top, an excellent way to get a fuller scope of the city's layout.

In its slick space-age needle-like glory, the tower is the world's second-tallest freestanding tower and officially a television broadcasting tower. It's also home to two viewing platforms open to the public.

The first platform, The Tembo Deck, lies at the 350 meters (1,148 feet) point, while the Tembo Gallery is located at the 450 meters (1,476 feet) point, making it "the world's highest skywalk."

Tokyo Solamachi, a slick and stylish entertainment complex, sits at the tower's base. Located on the second and third floors of the building, Tokyo Solamachi is home to restaurants, fashion and gift stores, an aquarium, and even a museum dedicated to Japan's postal service.

There's no shortage of world-class hotels to book when staying in Asakusa. So when it comes to picking a place to stay, the hardest part is deciding which one to choose.

Asakusa View Hotel is an excellent western-style hotel with spectacular views of Tokyo Skytree and the wider Asakusa area. It offers a wide variety of rooms, from single and doubles to twin and deluxe options.

Those on a budget will appreciate Hotel Sunroute Asakusa. With an ideal location, just two minutes on foot from Tawaramachi Station on the Ginza Line, and prices that start at just over $100 per night for two guests, it's affordable, accessible, and well worth considering.

If you want to stay true to Asakusa's more 'traditional' vibe, Tosei Hotel Cocone Asakusa is a great choice. This hotel blends traditional Japanese design motifs, sliding paper doors, soothing soft light, and minimalist elegance.