Best Things to Do in Asakusa, Tokyo

If you want to explore Tokyo beyond the neon-flooded streets and urban chaos, digging into the best things to do in Asakusa should skate to the forefront of your travel plans.

Numbered among the best places to visit in Asakusa are historical buildings, temples, and laneways that’ll whisk you away to a Tokyo seemingly long disappeared.

Not sure what to do in Asakusa? Follow along with this quick guide to the top tourist attractions in Asakusa…

What to do in Asakusa

Purge yourself at the doors of Senso-ji Temple

Step closer to the main temple building of Senso-ji Temple and you’ll find yourself swamped into clouds of fragrant smoke. The smoke originates from incense burners, thought to originate from the feudal era, some 400 years ago. It’s believed that this incense has a healing effect, and can purge you of your sins.

Pagoda at Sensoji Temple

If you enter Senso-ji Temple, one of the most beautiful temples in Tokyo, from the front, you’ll find a dragon-shaped fountain and the jokoro, the large pots emitting the sacred smoke. Hang by for a little while and follow the lead of the onlookers to purify yourself.

In case you’re wondering, the water from the fountain is healing, too. Getting it though might be tricky. Just do what others are doing: Scoop the water with a cup (or use the public ladle) and wash your hands.

Get out & about on a rickshaw at Kurumaya

If exploring Asakusa on foot seems too daunting for you, hop onto a rickshaw instead. Dating back to the early 1800s, the trend of rickshaws, or as the Japanese call it, jinrikisha, has touched modern neighborhoods of Tokyo, ushering in a much-needed old world charm to an otherwise hyperurban setting.

Jinrikisha in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan

In Asakusa, the rickshaws cover all the must-see sites, and give you a nice historical tour of the district at a minimal cost. What’s more, there’s a tour guide, as well as a photographer to add to the fun!

And if that’s not enough, the rickshaw drivers are brimming with knowledge and will take you to all the popular tourist hot spots, as well as some of the lesser-known ones.

You can choose from different schedules. If you’re looking for a short experience, opt for the 20-minute ride, and visit Asakusa’s most important landmarks. For a more immersive experience, hop on an 80-minute ride that covers Asakusa’s most authentic sights. Whatever the weather, sightseeing on a rickshaw will always stick in your memories!

Want to plan ahead? Book an Asakusa Rickshaw Tour before you leave! Tour includes a knowledge tour guide.

Take the Asakusa Shichifukujin Tour

Besides fortune telling, animal totems and lucky charms, there’s one more thing that the Japanese believe in: Shichifukujin.

Shichifukujin refers to the “Seven Lucky Gods” that are thought to represent seven different spheres of life and bestow good luck and happiness on anyone who pays homage to them in the first week of New Year.

Incense Burning Asakusa Shrine

Interestingly, the Gods are not exclusive to Japanese culture, rather they signify a sort of coming together of three different religions: Taoism, Chinese Buddhism, and Hinduism.

Legend has it that keeping pictures of the deities under the pillow on the night of New Year will bring good tidings throughout the rest of the year.

Whether you’re seeking a little more luck in life or simply want to take a walk across some beautiful Japanese temples, taking an Asakusa Shichifukujin Tour isn’t be a bad idea.

You can choose from two walking routes. One route covers the temples, shrines, and landmarks present in Kyu-Tokaido Street in about one hour; the other route passes through Oimachi Station and takes around two hours to complete.

Once you reach each stop, be sure to gather the ‘shuins’ (Stamps) meted out by the temple authorities.

Marvel at the hidden gems of Senso-ji

Senso-ji is not just about the incense and worship. There’s a lot to explore in the sacred grounds of the temple. Amid familiar sights, there is a hidden shrine, marked by the presence of two towering Boddhisatva statues built in the late 1600s.

Paper Lanterns Senso-ji Kannon

The one installed on the left is called Seishi; the other is Kannon, the same diety that inspired the building of Senso-ji Temple in the first place.

Besides gaping at the gigantic statues and lounging in the garden around, you can take a look at Bentendo located on the tiny hill at the left adjacent to a large bell, which was only stuck once. Also, don’t forget to catch a few sprinkles coming from the bronze dragon king fountain.

Laugh & shout like a child at the Hanayashiki Amusement Park

With a celebrated history spanning more than 100 years, Hanayashiki Amusement Park is one of the most popular attractions in Asakusa. It’s a stone’s throw from the centre of Asakusa, and offers multiple opportunities for entertainment, including modern rides and vintage ones.

There’s the typical carousel and a miniature Ferris wheel that has Japan written all over it. The steel rollercoaster is apparently the oldest in Japan, and acts as a welcome respite from some of the more sombre features of the park.

Hanayashiki Theme Park

Some rides are smooth and nostalgic; others are downright thrilling. And if the rides are not enough to give you goosebumps, the haunted house at the farthest end of the park will.

Hanayashiki Amusement Park may not be the most happening attraction of Asakusa, but it exudes a certain exuberance and nostalgia that feels beautiful to revel in—especially when you are travelling in Tokyo with kids!

Shop till you drop at Kappabashi

If you love spending time in the kitchen, then exploring Kappabashi is one of the coolest things to do in Asakusa. Kappabashi is a vast neighborhood home to over 150 shops that sell all things related to cooking.

In Kappabashi, you can pick up some fancy Oriental tableware and cutlery at Niimi or check out some of finest knife specimens ever in Kama-Asa Shoten.

Kappabashi Street

Or perhaps you might want to search for a special Japanese ironware kettle that’s reputed to soften hard water and enhance the flavor of tea.

One of the more unique shops in Kappabashi is Iwasaki Be-I, a traditional store that sells artificial food samples—and even gives you the chance to create your own!

Legend has it that Kappa, mystical beings residing in Sumida River, once saved the streets of Kappabashi from flooding. In addition to hunting for cooking equipment, grab a few pictures at the quirky golden Kappa Kotaro statue or take in serene views of the Sumida River at sunset.

Tingle Your tastebuds at Suzukien

Suzukien is the delightful place where matcha and gelato meet. This ancient tea parlour sells a unique selection of tea-related items including seven different intensities of matcha gelatos.

The gelato at Suzukien is arranged in the order of increasing strength of matcha with one being the mildest and seven being the richest and strongest. Of course, the color varies, too, graduating from mint green to bottle green.

Suzukien

For those rare few who don’t take well to the flavors of green tea, there are a couple of classic western ice-cream flavors as well as some unique Japanese ones.

To top it all, Suzukien is located just behind Senso-ji Temple, so you can quickly slink in for a much-needed indulgence after healing and purifying.

Step into the world of sumo at the Asakusa Chankoba Sumo Demonstration

For a fun and entertaining introduction to the exhaustive art of sumo wrestling, check out the Asakusa Chankoba Sumo Demonstration. Picture this: Expert sumo wrestlers teach you the basic moves, and then you don an authentic Sumo suit and prepare for the fight of your life. (Well, at least of your trip.)

Sumo Training

The sumo demonstration is open to kids, and the environment is very light-hearted and entertaining. There’s a host as well, ready to translate anything you don’t understand and chime in with jokes, making the session all the more fun for visitors.

After the match, you’re invited to sit down and appease your monstrous fighter’s appetite with big bowls of chankob noodles, a sumo favourite, while engaging in interesting conversations with your new wrestler friends. Be sure to snap some unique pictures for your wall!

Take a tour of Edo Shitamachi Traditional Crafts Museum

A tiny museum in the heart of Asakusa, Edo Shitamachi Traditional Crafts Museum is a testimony to the class, heritage, and expertise of the Japanese people. On display is an exhaustive selection of handicrafts and miniatures of famous monuments.

One of the most notable features of the museum is that it doesn’t just reflect the past, but also includes contemporary elements of the society, painting a picture of everything that Tokyo stands for today.

Edo Shitamachi Traditional Craft Museum

The first floor of the Edo Shitamachi Traditional Crafts Museum has numerous exhibits and handcrafted goods showcased, while the second-floor houses fancier items like silverware, furniture, fabric embossed with traditional ukiyoe symbols, embroidered dolls, and Buddhist-themed goods.

Don’t forget to take a look at the temple model structure, which, stunning as it is, also speaks oodles about the skills of the Japanese artisans who regularly repair and update the shrines and temples of Taito War.

Interested in traditional Japanese art? Try your hand at ukiyoe with this Japanese woodblock printing tutorial in Asakusa!

Hunt for elusive goldfish at Asakusa Kingyo

You can’t visit Asakusa without participating in a festival! One of the most widely loved summer festival activities is kingyo sukui, Japanese for catching goldfish.

For about 300 yen, visitors are allowed to catch and release some deft goldfish. It’s a lot of fun, even when you’re terrible at it.

What’s best is that even if you happen to miss out on the popular summer festivals, you can still hop over to the Asakusa Kingyo and test your luck with it. If nothing else, you could at least snag some goldfish-inspired souvenirs for your loved ones back home.

The best hotels in Asakusa: Where to stay for sightseeing

If you want to experience the district to its fullest, consider laying your head down at one of the best hotels in Asakusa. The quality of accommodations in Asakusa is generally quite good, even if slightly pricier than elsewhere in Taito Ward. Here are a few of the best places to stay in Asakusa…

  • MyCUBE by MYSTAYS Asakusa Kuramae: Dreaming of staying in a capsule hotel while in Tokyo? Here’s your chance! The cubes here are surprisingly bright and outfitted with extras like a TV, alarm clock, and luggage storage.
  • Wired Hotel: A stylish boutique hotel with a perfect location in the heart of Asakusa. Offers everything from shared dorms to a luxury penthouse suite that promises to both eat up your travel budget and amaze you.
  • Ryokan Kamogawa Asakusa: A traditional ryokan featuring classic Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats and a shared onsen-style bath. Senso-ji Temple and Kaminarimon are only a block away.

Final recommendations

Still not sure how to best spend your time in Asakusa? Here’s a quick summary of our top recommendations:

  • Ready to experience the most beautiful corner of Asakusa? Senso-ji Temple and its beautiful surroundings present a chance to see some of Tokyo’s most interesting remaining traditional architecture.
  • Looking for a little out-of-the-ordinary fun? Summon your inner child at the Hanayashiki Amusement Park or battle an authentic sumo wrestler at the Asakusa Chankoba Sumo Demonstration.
  • Craving a unique snack? Cool down with matcha tea gelato at Suzukien, a popular stop located just behind Senso-ji Temple.

Beyond Asakusa: Other places to go in Tokyo

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