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District of Tokyo, Japan
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
雷門, Thunder Gate
Up first, it features a much-photographed giant lantern and statues of guardian gods Raijin (god of thunder) and Fūjin (god of wind). First built in 942, the gate has been destroyed numerous times and the current incarnation dates to 1960. The Nakamise shopping arcade leading up to the temple starts after the gate (see Buy).
宝蔵門
At the end of the arcade, it is the main gate, notable for a giant straw sandal (waraji) hung up on one side. This gate too is guarded by ferocious guardian gods. Rebuilt 1964.
観音堂, Kannon Hall
Behind the gate, the main hall of the temple is perennially busy with a steady stream of worshippers wafting incense over themselves and trooping up the steps to pray and donate. According to legend, the hall was first built in 628 to house a statue of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, fished out of the Sumida River by two brothers. Rebuilt 1951–58.
五重塔, 5-Story Pagoda
It reputedly contains some of the ashes of the Buddha. Rebuilt 1973.
浅草神社
To the east behind the temple is this Shinto shrine devoted to protecting the Buddhist temple in a typically Japanese arrangement. The fairly plain shrine is not much to look at, but is notable as the focal point of the Sanja Matsuri festival (see Do).
鎮護堂
If you turn left before the Hōzōmon gate and head west for a few hundred meters, this quiet shrine is on your left. The shrine is dedicated to the Japanese raccoon god tanuki, notably primarily for its big flask of sake and gigantic testicles (at least when depicted as a statue).
伝法院
This temple next to Sensō-ji, to which it belongs, has a spectacular Japanese garden. While generally closed to the public, it opens for exhibitions most years from roughly mid-March to early May. Other than the small garden, which is best in the cherry blossom (sakura) season, the exhibition also features some of the temple's cultural treasures. The entrance is close to the five-story pagoda (Gojūnotō) of the Sensō-ji temple (see above).
三社祭
Organized at Asakusa Jinja yearly on the third weekend in May, this is Tokyo's largest festival (matsuri) and attracts up to 2 million spectators. The main event is a procession known as Daigyōretsu, when traditional performers and musicians parade through the streets, while on the next two days portable shrines (mikoshi) are carried to and from the temple for purification.
Held on the last Saturday of August. The street parade, which features thousands of participants from all over Japan, is held in the afternoon around Sensō-ji, and there are some stage shows in the evening. The event started in 1981, it's the biggest party of the year for the many Japanese-Brazilian residents of Tokyo.
花やしき
The oldest amusement park in Japan. Next to the Sensō-ji temple grounds is this small and somewhat lackluster carnival complex with rides, booths, and games. The neighborhood theatre specializes in showing classic Japanese films, as many of the tourists are elderly Japanese.
花月堂
This place has been making "melon pan" since 1945, and they haven't changed the decoration. It is a buttery and milky small cake with a crispy sweet crust.
鳴門鯛焼
Freshly grilled taiyaki, a traditional sweet waffle in the shape of a lucky fish, with your choice of red bean, sweet potato or custard filling.
甘味処 西山
After an exhausting day visiting the temples, grab some hot steamed dumplings outside, or step inside for traditional desserts such as oshiruko (grilled rice cake in a sweet-bean porridge) or cream an-mitsu (gelatin cubes in molasses with candied fruit and ice cream). This very simple shop serving tea and sweets has been in business since 1852.
三定
Over 150 years of history. Try their tempura and soba set! Or the fresh deep fried flour/batter at the front of the restaurant. You can smell them from a mile away, because they use sesame oil.
葵丸進
Good tempura in a convenient location, with fifty years of history behind it.
紅鶴
Ludicrously fluffy pancakes served in wobbly stacks of three, with a selection of sweet and savoury toppings. Extremely popular among the Instagram crowd, the only way to get a guaranteed seat is to queue up in person before 8:30am and pay a ¥1000/person deposit. No English sign, but English menu available.
大黒家
One of Tokyo's most famous tempura restaurants, opened in 1887. Be prepared for extremely long queues during meal times. An English menu is available on request.
駒形どぜう
Another local institution, Komagata has been serving up loach hotpot (dojō nabe) for over 200 years. Small, bony and slimy, loach was the working man's alternative to eel, then as now an expensive luxury. It's a bit of an acquired taste -- "tofu with bones" is a common description -- but it's very Asakusa and you can ladle on green onion and shichimi spice to add some flavor. Tatami seating downstairs, tables upstairs.
鳥じん
Lurking in the dingy/atmospheric "mole alley" under Tobu Asakusa station, this friendly joint serves up yakitori grilled chicken skewers and, incongruously, a limited menu of Italian favorites. Try the tsukimi tsukune, a giant chicken meatball served with a raw egg for dipping.
とんかつ とお山
Classic tonkatsu pork cutlets deep-fried to perfection, with your choice of fatty rōsu or leaner hire. Limited but extremely popular lunch menu (expect to queue for up to an hour), dinner menu has more options like katsu curry and katsudon.
One of the longer-running operators, with set meals of sashimi and tempura and daily departures sailing a loop from Asakusa to Odaiba and back.
鮨一新
This tiny 8-seater restaurant has had a Michelin star for 13 years running thanks to its uncompromisingly old-school Edo-style sushi, prepared with seasonal seafood and akasu red vinegar made from sake lees. Reserve well in advance.
神谷バー
The home of the Denki Bran cocktail, this was Japan's first Western-style bar when it first opened in 1880 and remains a truly local institution. The ground floor is a large beer-hall-like bar, the second is a Western-style restaurant, and the upper floor serves Japanese food. Find a seat at one of the shared tables, buy your tickets at the counter, and join in the fun. Beware the oddly limited operating hours: last order is 19:30!
Asakusa Naniwaya branch the original of Taiyaki Naniwaya Sohonten (Azabu Jyu-ban). You can enjoy green tea and coffee at the cafe in the shop, with all handmade Japanese sweets.
This group of guest houses has 3 hostels within 5 minutes of Asakusa station. They also run a travelers' bar and you get 1 free drink when you stay. There are dormitories as well as private rooms available.
サクラホステル浅草
The largest hostel in Tokyo, behind a theme park and with a direct view of Tokyo Skytree, the world's second tallest structure. Accommodations for individual backpackers, families, and group travelers. Very friendly English speaking staff.
An old post-war house converted into an inn. Friendly staff. Shared shower; two shared baths. No frills and thin walls, but you can't beat the price. A few blocks from Nakamise Street and Sensō-ji temple.
A modern inn of a high standard. Friendly staff. Shared shower and bathrooms. Just rooms and futons are provided, but at a low price.
ホテル 浅草 ＆ カプセル
Temporarily closed due to COVID-19. This is a co-ed capsule hotel (gender separated by floor). No English is spoken, but staff are familiar with foreigners and have information in English on printouts.
The cheapest youth hostel in Tokyo. The owner also runs a monthly dormitory (\27,000/month) near Waseda University in Shinjuku (see the website for details).
A nice small hotel with a mix of Japanese-style and Western-style rooms next to the famous Nakamise Street. Friendly and helpful staff. Free internet in all rooms, two Japanese-style baths and showers.
Modern serviced apartments that incorporate classical Japanese elements like sliding doors. Kitchen and laundry facilities. Studios, 1 and 2 bedroom available. Located directly on top of Asakusa station; there is also a more high-end sister property, Mimaru Suites Asakusa, nearby.
仲見世
This busy covered shopping arcade leads from the Kaminarimon gate to the temple, selling all sorts of Buddhist paraphernalia as well as assorted tourist kitsch. This is one of the best places in Tokyo to buy souvenirs (the other being the Oriental Bazaar in Omotesando), but more expensive items such as swords and kimono are likely to be of inferior quality. Slightly nicer crafts, rather than mass-produced kitsch, can be found at good prices if you walk up to the temple, turn right, and turn right again on the first small street running parallel to Nakamise. You will see plenty of small shops in this general area which have better quality souvenirs and gifts, like handkerchiefs, strings of hand-made silk balls, and hairclips.
By train
Asakusa is the terminus of the Metro Ginza line (G19), which is the best way to get into the area, perhaps by connecting from the Yamanote line at Ueno.
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