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Asakusa (��) is the center of Tokyo's shitamachi (literally "low city"), one of Tokyo's districts, where an atmosphere of the Tokyo of past decades survives. Asakusa's main attraction is Sensoji, a very popular Buddhist temple, built in the 7th century. The temple is approached via the Nakamise, a shopping street that has been providing temple visitors with a variety of traditional, local snacks and tourist souvenirs for centuries. Asakusa can easily be explored on foot. Alternatively, you can consider a guided tour on a rickshaw (jinrikisha, literally "man powered vehicle"). A 30 minute tour for two persons costs around 8000 yen. Shorter and longer courses are also available. Dempoin Dori (Dempoin Street) For many centuries, Asakusa used to be Tokyo's leading entertainment district. During the Edo Period (1603-1867), when the district was still located outside the city limits, Asakusa was the site of kabuki theaters and a large red light district. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, modern types of entertainment, including movie theaters, set foot in Asakusa. However, large parts of Asakusa were destroyed in the air raids of World War Two. And while the area around the rebuilt Sensoji has regained its former popularity after the war, the same cannot be said for Asakusa's entertainment district. Temples and Shrines Kaminarimon (Kaminari Gate) Hours: Always open Admission: Free Kaminarimon is the first of two large entrance gates leading to Sensoji Temple. First built more than 1000 years ago, it is the symbol of Asakusa. The Nakamise shopping street leads from Kaminarimon to the temple grounds. Sensoji Temple (more details) Hours: 6:00 to 17:00 (from 6:30 October to March) Admission: Free Sensoji ("Senso" is an alternative reading for Asakusa and "ji" means temple) is Tokyo's most famous and popular temple. Built in the 7th century, it is also one of its oldest, although the current buildings are postwar reconstructions. Asakusa Shrine Hours: Always open Admission: Free Asakusa Shrine, also known as Sanja-sama, was built during the Edo Period and survived the air raids of 1945. The shrine's festival, the Sanja Matsuri, is one of Tokyo's most spectacular and popular. It is held every year on a weekend (Friday to Sunday) in mid May. Dempoin Temple Not usually open to the public Dempoin is a temple just next to Sensoji, known for its beautiful garden. Unfortunately, the temple and garden are not open to the public. Visiting the garden by appointment, as it used to be possible, cannot be done anymore, either. Shopping Nakamise Shopping Street (more details) Hours depend on the individual shops; typically daily from 9:00 to 19:00 The Nakamise shopping street stretches over approximately 250 meters from Kaminarimon to the main grounds of Sensoji Temple. It is lined by more than 50 shops, which offer local specialties and the usual array of tourist souvenirs. Shin-Nakamise Shopping Street Hours depend on the individual shops; typically daily from 10:00 to 20:00. Shin-Nakamise or "New Nakamise" runs perpendicular to the Nakamise Shopping Street. It is a covered shopping arcade lined by various shops and restaurants. Kappabashi Shopping Street (more details) Hours: Most shops open from 9:00 to 17:00 Closed: Many shops are closed on Sundays and national holidays Kappabashi is an almost one kilometer long street lined by shops catering to restaurant businesses. Items on sale include tableware, kitchen utensils and appliances, sample food, furniture, signs, lanterns and uniforms. Rox Department Store Shops: Daily 10:30 to 21:00 (supermarket is open 24 hours) Restaurants: Daily 11:00 to 22:00 Rox is a shopping and entertainment complex consisting of a main building (Rox) and three annex buildings (Rox2G, Rox3 and Rox Dome). Many shops sell fashion for ladies and kids. There is a 24h supermarket in the basement. Tobu Asakusa Station & Matsuya Department Store Matsuya department store is open daily from 10:00 to 19:30 Tobu Asakusa Station is the terminal station of Tobu trains heading into the suburbs and prefectures north of Tokyo, including trains to Nikko. The station building also houses a Matsuya department store that spans eight floors. Other Attractions Sumida River Cruise (more details) Tokyo Water Bus operates sightseeing ships every 30 to 60 minutes from Asakusa Pier via Hama Rikyu Garden to Hinode Pier, where you can transfer to a ship to Odaiba. In addition, there are less frequent, direct ships from Asakusa to Odaiba. Sumida Park Hours: Always open Admission: Free This riverside park stretches along both sides of Sumida River for several hundred meters. In spring it becomes a popular cherry blossom viewing spot, while on the last Saturday of July it becomes the site of the Sumida River Firework. Rokku Entertainment District Opening hours depend on the individual businesses Rokku used to be Tokyo's leading entertainment district before the war, hosting Japan's first cinema and more. However, the district has not regained its former popularity after the war. Today, Rokku offers attractions such as rakugo theaters, cinemas and pachinko parlors. Hanayashiki Amusement Park Hours: 10:00 to 18:00 (longer hours during holidays) Admission: 900 yen plus separate fees for rides Originally opened as a flower park, Hanayashiki has a history of more than 150 years. Located just a few steps from Sensoji, the miniature amusement park offers numerous attractions, including a small Ferris wheel, roller coaster, carousel and Space Shot. Asahi Beer Tower Restaurants open daily from 11:30 to 22:00 The Asahi Beer Tower and Asahi Super Dry Hall with its characteristic Flamme d'Or were, completed in 1989 and host the headquarters of Asahi Breweries. Furthermore, several restaurants can be found in the complex. Taikokan (Drum Museum) Hours: 10:00 to 17:00 Closed: Mondays, Tuesdays, New Year and Obon Admission: 500 yen Drums from around the world, including Japanese taiko drums, are exhibited in this small museum. Visitors can play several of the drums. The museum is located in a floor above the Miyamoto Unosuke Nishi Asakusa store, which sells Japanese drums and festival goods. Any Questions? Ask them in our question forum.

How to get there

Asakusa is served by the Ginza Subway Line, Asakusa Subway Line, Tsukuba Express and Tobu Railways. It can also be accessed by the Tokyo Water Bus. From Tokyo Station Take the JR Yamanote Line to Kanda Station (2 minutes, 130 Yen) and transfer to the Ginza Subway Line for Asakusa (10 minutes, 160 Yen). From Shinjuku Station Take the orange JR Chuo Line to Kanda Station (10 minutes, 160 Yen) and transfer to the Ginza Subway Line for Asakusa (10 minutes, 160 Yen). From Narita Airport Check our airport page for details. Orientation in Tokyo

Hotels and Ryokan

Asakusa is the recommended district to stay for low budget travelers with its wealth of inexpensive hostels, dormitories, budget ryokan and small hotels. It is also a great location for those looking for the old fashioned feel of Tokyo. Located a few subway stops off the Yamanote Line, it is neither the most convenient nor an inconvenient base for exploring the city. Read more in our Tokyo Hotel Guide

Recommended Hotels around Asakusa - with lowest rates by selected hotel reservation websites Asakusa Smile This hostel with dormitories and private rooms offers some of the cheapest beds in town. Hostelworld rate unavailable rate unavailable Asakusa View Hotel The largest hotel in Asakusa. Overlooking Sensoji Temple. Agoda from $166 (1 person) from $212 (2 persons) Backpackers Hostel Ks House Tokyo One of the most popular hostels in Tokyo. Hostelworld rate unavailable rate unavailable Hotel Kaminarimon Located directly next to Kaminarimon Gate, the symbol of Asakusa. Hostelworld rate unavailable rate unavailable Agoda from $74 (1 person) from $143 (2 persons) Khaosan Tokyo Kabuki One of the most popular hostels in Tokyo, located just a few steps from Kaminarimon Gate. Hostelworld rate unavailable rate unavailable Agoda rate unavailable rate unavailable Sakura Hostel Asakusa Popular hostel, just a few steps from the Sensoji temple grounds. Hostelworld rate unavailable rate unavailable Agoda from $31 (1 person) from $63 (2 persons)

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English Links

Asakusa Shrine Offical English website. Asakusa Nakamise Offical English website. Tokyo Water Cruise Offical English website. Hanayashiki Amusement Park Offical English website.

Japanese Links

Asakusa Shrine Offical website. Asakusa Nakamise Offical website. Kappabashi Shopping Street Offical website. Rox Offical website. Matsuya Asakusa Offical website. Tokyo Water Cruise Offical website. Hanayashiki Amusement Park Offical website. Taikokan Offical website.