Asakusa district 浅草
Tokyo: Asakusa, the beating heart of the city
One of the capital's most popular districts, both tourists and locals shop here before going to Senso-ji temple. From the revered Senso-ji temple to the futuristic Tokyo Sky Tree Tower, this district is a perfect example of the blending of old and new in Tokyo. Asakusa beckons.
The unmissable pilgrimage place in Tokyo
Over the centuries, a constant flow of visitors have come to pray in the main hall of the Asakusa temple. Today, these travellers come from around the world to admire the architecture.
The first unmissable place in the district is the Kaminari-mon, or "thunder door". With its huge red lantern and its wooden sculptures of the thunder and wind gods, it has become one of the emblems of Asakusa.
A word of advice: visit Kaminari-mon also at night. The crowd is less dense and the atmosphere, thanks to the illuminations, much more mystical.
From behind the door, there is an interesting view of the tourist office building (designed by the famous architect Kengo Kuma) juxtaposed. Take a look: pamphlets and maps (there are some in French) are available there. From the cafe at the top of the building there is a superb view of Nakamise Street.
After crossing it, you will be immersed in the busy street of Nakamise. It is lined with a myriad of small shops that compete with each other for the attention of onlookers. You will find shops selling traditional handicrafts as well as stalls of Dorayaki, fried manju buns, or dango dumplings.
At the end of this street is the symbol of the district: The Senso-ji temple which houses a legendary statue of the goddess Kannon. He is also known as Asakusa Kannon. Just before, on the left, you can admire the temple pagoda from the outside. Do not miss the more discreet but also pretty shrine of Asakusa, located right next to Senso-ji.
This religious complex is renowned for being a place where Buddhism and Shintoism live in harmony.
Nakamise-dori: Asakusa has kept its artisan shops and its old-fashioned atmosphere
Asakusa is part of the Taitô district, a popular district renowned for its artisans of all kinds. If you're interested in traditional items, take a look at these old shops:
Take the small parallel alley on the right of Nakamise-dori and you will find the Yatsume shop which sells hair accessories and traditional hairstyles. For 90 years, girls and young girls have been going there to shop for a traditional festival where they will wear a kimono and have their hair "old-fashioned": the shichigosan festival, the ceremony for the celebration of the majority. at 20 or their marriage… The store also sells Edo Oshie Hagoita, these typical objects that we buy at the end of the year. It is a small wooden racket-shaped board decorated with textile collages depicting Kabuki actors, sumo wrestlers or pretty women.
Every year in December and since the Edo period (1603-1868), the "Hagoita Ichi " market at Senso-ji temple has attracted crowds of visitors from all over Japan to buy an Edo Oshie Hagoita.
On the other side of Nakamise-dori, Arai Bunsendô, has been in business for over 120 years. It is a fan shop whose clientele is mainly made up of kabuki actors, rakugo storytellers and nihon buyô (Japanese dance) dancers.
Throughout the neighborhood, small shops sell traditional handicrafts: wooden combs, brushes, geta, Japanese socks, and other objects that transport visitors to another era.
A little further west of Senso-ji Temple, Hanayashiki Amusement Park has been thrilling its customers since 1949, making this kind of place the oldest in Japan. The rides and other attractions have - fortunately - been modernized, but the vibe has remained intact and the place has a delightfully old-fashioned side.
Edo Oshie Hagoita
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Depuis sept générations, la boutique Yonoya Kushiho est un emblématique fabricant de peigne à Asakusa (Tokyo).
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Le parc Hanayashiki avec la Tokyo SkyTree en arrière-plan
Debbs.
Modern Asakusa: Tokyo Skytree Tower
Visible from the Sensoji temple is the most recent attraction on the outskirts of Asakusa, the Tokyo Skytree. Rising 634 meters above sea level, this futuristic tower offers panoramic views of the city and, on a clear day, all the way to Mount Fuji.
Although this is an impressive show all year round, travellers and locals gather at Sumida Park, especially in the spring, to admire the tower surrounded by cherry blossoms.
La Skytree vue depuis Asakusa
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Tokyo by night: Visit Asakusa at night
Besides being very photogenic thanks to the illuminations of the Senso-ji temple complex, Asakusa has always been a place where Tokyoites gather after sunset to relax over a drink while nibbling a few dishes in the many izakaya, the Japanese-style tapas bars that dot the neighborhood. If we can not really speak of a terrace, we can still enjoy the place outdoors thanks to the many establishments that set up tables and chairs in the pedestrian streets.
In addition to countless restaurants, you will also find cinemas and traditional theaters .
Matsuri in Tokyo: The many festivals of Asakusa
On the festival side, Asakusa has no reason to envy neighbouring districts:
- In May, the Sanja Matsuri creates a contagious effervescence in the streets.
- In August, the Asakusa Samba Festival transforms Asakusa into beautiful Rio.
- In the middle of summer, the Sumida festival is known for brilliant fireworks.
La pagode à 5 étages borde le temple Sensô-ji d'Asakusa (Tokyo).
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Asakusa of Kawabata
Yasunari Kawabata, (1899-1972), the winner of the Nobel Literature Prize, described the neighborhood as follows: "Asakusa! ... universal Asakusa! All sorts of living things come out of there. It shows bare, all throbbing desires. It is a huge flood of various types and all walks of men. At dawn or dusk, is an unfathomable and endless stream: Asakusa is alive... A huge dense crowd parades by. This district forged in an old mold belongs to the crowd and is completely transformed.”
When they want to go out in Tokyo, most visitors automatically head to Shibuya, Roppongi, or Shinjuku. But Asakusa is the place where the Tokyo locals have gathered for a century, after sunset to relax over a drink. You will also find, in addition to its countless restaurants, many traditional theatres, and cinemas.
Asakusa Access
Asakusa is accessed by four different train lines: the Ginza Subway Line, Asakusa Subway Line, Tobu Skytree Line, and Tsukuba Express line.
Each line has its own "Asakusa" station: a total of four, making for potential confusion.
Asakusa can also be accessed by the Tokyo Cruise Company's Water Bus service from Odaiba or Hamarikyu.
Visitors can take the Water Bus from Hamarikyu-teien and Hinode Pier and dock at the Azuma Bridge in Asakusa across the river from Philippe Starck's Asahi Building, with its famous "golden flame" on the roof.
Nearby Asakusa
The Kappabashi kitchen goods street is about seven minutes' walk west of Asakusa, and makes for one of Tokyo's most unique shopping experiences. Tokyo's famous Buddhist and Shinto goods street is just south of Kappabashi. The Tokyo Skytree tower is just east of Asakusa, clearly visible across the Sumida River, and one stop on the Tobu Skytree Line from Asakusa Station. The culturally rich Ueno district is just three train stops west of Asakusa on the Ginza Subway Line. Ryogoku, Tokyo's sumo wrestling district, and with its superb Edo-Tokyo Museum is a little south, on the other side of the Sumida River, and can be accessed by going to the Oedo Subway Line (not the Asakusa Subway Line) Kuramae Station (about a 10 minute walk south from Kaminarimon) and going one stop.
- To read: 10 things to do in Asakusa
Address, timetable & access
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Address
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Timetable
Asakusa Station is served by the Ginza, Asakusa and Tobu railway lines.
