If you want a glimpse of what Tokyo was like in the Edo period, Asakusa is the place to go. This bustling temple town maintains its old Tokyo vibe, with a number of shops and restaurants that are more than a hundred years old. Rent a kimono, ride a yakatabune, or try your hand at traditional crafts like edo kiriko. If you’re into dark tourism, you’ll find a lot of interesting spots, too. You won’t run out of exciting things to do in Asakusa.
Asakusa Top Attractions
Nakamise Shopping Street
Nakamise Dori is Asakusa’s iconic shopping street that leads to Sensoji. Both sides are lined with fixed stalls that sell a variety of goods, from traditional crafts to delicious local treats. Among the most popular ones are monaka, wafer sandwiches with ice cream filling, and ningyo yaki, bite-sized sponge cakes shaped after the faces of the 7 lucky gods.
Nakamise Shopping Street (Nakamise Dōri, Nakamise Shōtengai, 中店商店街, なかみせ しょうてんがい)
Open daily, 10:00 to 17:00
Official Website
Google Maps
Sensoji
Tokyo’s oldest temple is dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. The magnificent temple draws out millions of visitors each year, with the New Year among its most popular times.
Sensoji (浅草寺、せんそうじ)
Open for worship 24/7
Official Website
Google Maps
Imado Shrine
Lucky cats equal luck in love. Imado Shrine is dedicated to Izanagi and Izanami, Japan’s first married couple according to Japanese myth. Imado Shrine is also considered to be the birthplace of the maneki neko—usually translated as the beckoning cat or lucky cat. You can see a bunch of cat statues in the shrine, including a gigantic pair right in the main hall.
Imado Shrine (Imado Jinja, 今戸神社, いまど じんじゃ)
Open daily, 09:00 to 15:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Asakusa Kingyo
Scooping goldfish is a Japanese custom you can usually experience in summer festivals, but at Asakusa Kingyo, you can do this all year round. The shop sells many goldfish-themed traditional crafts, too.
Asakusa Kingyo (浅草金魚, あさくさ きんぎょ)
Open daily, 09:00 to 16:30
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Hanayashiki
First opened in 1853, Hanayashiki is Japan’s oldest amusement park. It’s no Disneyland or USJ, but it’s loved by locals just the same. Ideal for going out with small kids, or groups of friends who want to experience amusement on a local scale.
Asakusa Hanayashiki (浅草花やしき, あさくさ はなやしき)
Weekends 10:00 to 18:00; Weekdays – 10:00 to 17:00; Closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Sumida Park
Stretching along both banks of Sumida River, Sumida Park is perfect for a city stroll. You can watch cruises pass by, as well as see Tokyo SKYTREE and the Asahi Beer Building, whose supposed golden foam objet has been affectionally nicknamed “Golden Poo” by locals. Sumida Park is also a well-known cherry blossom spot, and to a lesser degree, loved for its hydrangeas as well.
Sumida Park (隅田公園, すみだ こうえん)
Open 24 hours
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Sumida River Walk
This elevated promenade stretches across Sumida River and connects Asakusa town proper to Tokyo Mizumachi, a shopping and dining complex recently developed by Tobu. The promenade also makes it easier for guests to go from Asakusa to Tokyo SKYTREE on foot, and vice versa.
Sumida River Walk (すみだリバーウォーク, 隅田川橋梁, Sumida Ribā Wōku, Sumidagawa Kyōryō)
Open daily, 07:00 to 22:00
Official Website
Google Maps
Tokyo Mizumachi
A newly developed spot of land with several stores for shopping and dining. Unlike malls, most of Mizumachi is green space, with warehouse-looking shops dotting one side. The place is ideal for a picnic, or if you want to extend your stay, there is also a guest house in the area.
Tokyo Mizumachi
Open daily, 09:00 to 19:00
Official Website
Google Maps
Tokyo SKYTREE
At 634 meters high, Tokyo SKYTREE is the tallest tower in the world. Enjoy beautiful views of the city, along with seasonal attractions and plenty of options for dining and shopping. A day at Tokyo Skytree is best paired with a visit to Sumida Aquarium and Solamachi, located inside the same complex.
Tokyo SKYTREE (東京スカイツリー)
Open daily, 10:00 to 20:00 (currently closed on weekends)
Official Website
Google Maps
Sumida Aquarium
Among the popular aquariums in Tokyo, Sumida appeals to the senses by featuring marine life in an environment of pretty lights, calming sounds, and appealing scents. One of the aquariums’ major attractions is that it has plenty of chin anago, spotted garden eels whose heads poke out of the sand floor, usually facing a singular direction.
Sumida Aquarium
Weekdays – 10:00 to 20:00, Weekends – 09:00 – 20:00
Official Website
Google Maps
Tokyo Solamachi
You’ll want to visit Solamachi after visiting Tokyo Skytree and/or Sumida Aquarium. With approx. 300 stores, the shopping district is perfect for dining and shopping.
Tokyo Solamachi (東京ソラマチ, とうきょう そらまち)
Open daily, 10:00 to 20:00
Official Website
Google Maps
Odd Spots & Hidden Gems in Asakusa
Ubagaike Pond
According to lore, this pond was once where a serial murderess jumped in to take her own life after killing her own daughter by mistake.
Ubagaike Pond (姥ヶ池, うばがいけ)
Open 24/7
Google Maps
Otori Shrine
A shrine for prosperity, Otori is known for the statue of a big smiling face in its main hall called “Nade Okame.” Okame is the goddess of mirth, often displayed as a symbol of prosperity. When you pay respects at Otori Shrine, you can touch the statue for a blessing. The kind of blessing you receive depends on the part of the face you touch.
Yoshiwara Red-Light District
A popular red-light district that existed from the 17th century until 1958, when prostitution was outlawed in Japan. The area used to be enclosed by a moat with only one way entryway. Today, remnants of Yoshiwara can be seen in Senzoku 4-chome where you can find soaplands and other similar establishments.
Yoshiwara Benten
This tragic site was originally a much larger pond with a small shrine to Benzaiten, the Japanese Buddhist goddess of music, literature, wealth, and femininity. In September of 1923, a large fire broke out in this area after what is known as the Great Kanto Earthquake. Because Yoshiwara only had one entryway (Yoshiwara Omon), many of the female sex workers were trapped and sought refuge by diving into the pond. Many, however, drowned or were boiled alive. The pond was later reclaimed, but the Benzaiten shrine and a part of the pond were left intact. Today, you can see a tall statue of the goddess of mercy Kannon erected in the middle of the shrine to commemorate the 490 people who died during the Great Kanto Earthquake.
Yoshiwara Benten (Yoshiwara Benzaiten, Hanazono Pond, 吉原弁財天、花園池)
Open 24/7
Google Maps
Miyamoto-Unosuke Drum Museum
A museum dedicated to the Japanese drum, the taiko. It houses around 900 drums in total, with 200 on permanent display. Guests can try their hand at playing the taiko when they visit the museum.
Miyamoto-Unosuke Drum Museum (Taiko Kan, 太皷館, 宮本卯之助商店)
Temporarily Closed
Official Website
Google Maps
Asakusa Experiences & Activities
Kimono/Yukata Rental
Exploring Asakusa in a kimono is a quintessential experience for both tourists and locals alike. There are several shops in the area that offer their services in English, with booking online as an option. Some plans are as cheap as ¥3,000, but I suggest looking for one that offers hair styling and make-up included in the package. It’s a one-day experience and you’d want to look as dolled up as possible.
Rickshaw Tours
Just as renting a kimono is an unmissable experience in Asakusa, so is riding a rickshaw. EBISUYA has an English site and provides English tours, so you can be sure to learn more about Asakusa when your guide takes you to must-see spots. They take a lot of photos, too.
Sumida River Cruise
There are several options for cruising Sumida River. One option is to board water buses operated by Tokyo Cruise, which come in different styles. Hotaluna, Himiko, and Emeraldas are notable for their futuristic designs, made by Galaxy Express 999 creator Leiji Matsumoto.
If you’re celebrating a special occasion or want a festive atmosphere, riding a yakatabune is the way to go. These traditional houseboats come with meals and unlimited drinks, along with a lot of merrymaking. Check out Ami-tatsu or Tsurishin for English services.
Edo Kiriko
Learn the basics of cutting glass, Edo Kiriko style. You can make simple, beautiful patterns like stars or cherry blossoms. You get to keep the glass you worked on, too. Sokichi and Askusa Ojima offer these services in English.
Axe Throwing
Nothing relieves stress like throwing an axe and hearing it strike wood. This modern sport is originally from North America, but it’s recently accrued a following in Japan, too. Check out Reeast to book your axe throwing experience.
Kawara Tile Smashing
If you want to blow off steam Japanese-style, then kawara smashing might be more your cup of tea. Kawara are clay tiles usually used for traditional roofing. You may have also seen them in karate performances where practitioners of the martial art break through stacks of kawara. Now you can try your hand at kawara smashing in Asakusa, with professionals to guide you on the right way to do it.
Katana Slash
Wouldn’t you want to learn how to wield a real katana sword? Katanaba offers this rare opportunity! Their 45-minute lessons are held on Tuesdays, where a professional teaches you how to handle a katana. You also get to slash tatami rolls.
Taiyaki Making
If you’ve ever had taiyaki, you may want to try your hand at making one. A traditional Japanese pastry, taiyaki is made of dough in the shape of tai or sea bream. The traditional filling is anko or sweet red bean paste, but over time, people have experimented with a multitude of flavors. At Guraku, you can experience making your own taiyaki, with your own choice of filling. You get to make six taiyaki, too, so you can experiment with different flavors.
Best Asakusa Restaurants and Cafes
Daikokuya Tempura
Serving tempura since 1887, Daikokuya’s most popular dish is their tendon (tempura rice bowl). They cook their tempura in sesame oil and coat them in a thick sauce. Among the tempura I’ve eaten, Daikokuya probably has the strongest flavor.
Daikokuya Tempura (大黒家天麩羅, だいこくや てんぷら)
Open daily, 11:00 19:00
Official Website
Google Maps
Unagi Komagata Maekawa
This historic restaurant specializes in unagi, and the secret to their popularity seems to be in the sauce that they baste their eel with. The recipe for the sauce has reportedly been preserved for 200 years, the same number of years this restaurant has been in business.
Unagi Maekawa Komagata (鰻 駒形 前川, うなぎ こまがた まえかわ)
11:30 to 21:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Asakusa Imahan
Opened in 1895, Asakusa Imahan’s most popular dish is their Meiji Sukiyaki Don, which is limited to 20 servings a day.
Asakusa Imahan (浅草今半, あさくさ いまはん)
Open daily, 11:30 to 21:30
Official Website
Google Maps
Suzukien
A must for matcha lovers! Suzukien sells matcha ice cream in seven different intensity levels, along with other beloved Japanese flavors like hojicha (roasted green tea) and goma (black sesame). The shop also sells different tea products.
Suzukien (壽々喜園, すずきえん)
Open daily, 11:00 to 17:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Suke6 Diner
Unlike the traditional Kabuki play it is named after, Suke6’s menu is far from traditional. This stylish cafe serves avocado toasts, English breakfast plates, and shakshuka among many others. The restaurant is a walking distance from Sumida Park, so you can walk the calories off after a heavy meal.
Suke6 Diner (Sukeroku Diner)
Open daily, 8:00 to 19:00
Official Website
Google Maps
February Kitchen
A contemporary cafe with a Showa menu, those are the words I use to describe February Kitchen. On the outside, the cafe appeals to a young crowd, but their menu includes Omu Napolitan (Omurice on top of Napolitan pasta), cream sodas, and puddings—things you’d normally see in a kissaten. The cafe is very popular so you might have to line up for an hour on weekends.
February Kitchen
11:30 to 18:00, closed on Wednesdays
Google Maps
OHAGI3
A shop that specializes in ohagi, glutinous rice coated with azuki red bean paste. Ohagi3 puts a modern spin on traditional ohagi by mixing non-conventional ingredients like coconut or raspberry. They also sell ohagi parfaits.
OHAGI3
Weekdays: 11-12:30, 13-17:30; Weekends: 11:00 to 18:00
Official Website (Japanese only)
Google Maps
Where to Stay in Asakusa
Booking.comFrequently Asked Questions
What is Asakusa known for?
Asakusa is known for being a temple town in Tokyo where you can find a lot of traditional wares and eats. Asakusa has Sensoji, Tokyo’s oldest temple, as well as Tokyo SKYTREE, the tallest tower in the world.
Is Asakusa worth visiting?
Yes. Traces of Edo can be found in Asakusa, and this old Tokyo vibe is not present in other popular districts like Shinjuku or Shibuya. If you want to rent a kimono or do a rickshaw tour, it’s the place to go. Just keep in mind that Asakusa is a popular sightseeing spot for both locals and tourists alike, so it can get a bit too crowded for comfort, but it’s definitely worth the trip.
What is the best time to visit Asakusa?
Mornings are your best bet. Some cafes like SUKE6 Diner open as early as 8 AM so you can enjoy a bit of breakfast. Temples and shrines also open early, so it’s best to get there before large crowds form.
How to Get to Asakusa
The following lines stop at Asakusa Station: Tobu Railway Tobu Skytree Line, Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and Toei Asakusa Line. Nearby districts include Ueno, Ikebukuro, and Kuramae.
