Asakusa

District with an atmosphere of old Tokyo
•••Recommended
★★★★★
4.2 (3,967)
#5 of 81 most visited in Tokyo

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 9000 yen. Shorter and longer courses are also available.

Sensoji on a busy day

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 1945. And while the area around the rebuilt Sensoji has since regained its former popularity, the same cannot be said for Asakusa's entertainment district. The opening of the 634 meter tall Tokyo Skytree, a twenty minute walk across the Sumida River from Asakusa, has led to an increase of tourists again.

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
    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 except during occasional special openings. Visiting the garden by appointment is not possible either anymore.

Shopping

  • Nakamise Shopping Street
    Hours depend on the individual shops; typically daily from 9:00 to 18:00
    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 19:00.
    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
    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. The street is located about 600 meters west of Sensoji.
  • Rox Department Store
    Shops: 10:30 to 21:00 (supermarket is open 24 hours)
    Rox is a shopping and entertainment complex consisting of a main building (Rox) and three annex buildings (Rox2G, Rox3G 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 19:00
    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.
  • Asakusa Underground Street
    Hours depend on the individual shops
    The Asakusa Underground Street (Asakusa Chikagai) is one of the oldest underground shopping streets in Japan. The short passageway connects Tobu Asakusa Station to the Shin Nakamise Shopping Street and contains about 20 shops and restaurants. The arcade looks like it has remained unchanged in decades, and visitors may feel like they walked into a throwback alleyway.

Other attractions

  • Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
    Hours: 9:00 to 20:00 (observation deck until 22:00)
    Closed: No closing days
    The Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center was newly opened in 2012, adding diversity to the streets of Asakusa with its interesting architectural design. The eight story building offers a tourist information desk in multiple languages, free Wi-Fi connectivity, a cafe, and an observation deck which provides good views looking onto Sensoji Temple and the Nakamise Shopping Street.
  • Sumida River Cruise
    Tokyo Water Bus operates sightseeing ships from Asakusa Pier to Odaiba and Hinode Pier. There are also some short river cruises that start and end in Asakusa.
  • 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 Fireworks.
  • 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: Varies by day; typically 10:00 to 18:00
    Closed on some Tuesdays
    Admission: 1200 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 11:30 to 15:00 and 17:30 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. Behind both the Beer Tower and the Super Dry Hall is the Asahi Craftmanship Brewery. The restaurant and brewery offers diners decently priced lunches as well as Asahi craft beer on tap.
  • Taikokan (Drum Museum)
    Hours: 11:00 to 16:00 (entry until 15:00)
    Closed: Mondays (except national holidays) and Tuesdays
    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.

Dining

  • Kamiya Bar
    Hours: 11:00 to 20:00 (last order at 19:30)
    Closed: first and last Mondays of the month, Tuesdays
    Kamiya Bar is one of Japan's oldest bars, with a history reaching back to 1880. It was founded by Kamiya Denbe, one of the first wine producers in Japan, who also invented denki bran, a type of brandy concoction, which is still served at the Kamiya Bar. The bar has three stories, and the one on street level is the most popular. There is also a window store that sells souvenir bottles of denki bran.
  • Umezono
    Hours: 10:00 to 17:00 (until 18:00 on weekends)
    Closed on Some Wednesdays
    Umezono is a traditional Japanese sweets shop that started in 1854. Their menu contains classics like anmitsu and oshiruko in addition to seasonal favorites like shaved ice (kakigori). The shop also has a window store that sells yokan, dorayaki and other desserts to go.
  • Suzukien Nanaya Gelato
    Hours: 11:00 to 17:00
    Closed: Irregular closures
    Asakusa Suzukien Nanaya Gelato is a collaboration between Suzukien, a green tea speciality shop, and Nanaya Gelato, a gelato shop. The store claims to have the richest and most intense green tea (matcha) gelato in the world. The popular shop offers over a dozen gelato flavors including multiple matcha ones.
  • Asakusa Kagetsudo
    Hours: 9:00 until sold out
    Asakusa Kagetsudo is a melon-pan store and restaurant that has been in business since 1945. Melon-pan is a sweet baked bread with a top that resembles the outer layer of a cantaloupe melon. Kagetsudo is most famous for their jumbo melon-pan which is best eaten warm, but also sells variations of their melon-pan that come with ice cream fillings. Japanese desserts, as well as savoury foods like soba noodles are also sold at the restaurant.
  • Tempura
    Hours depend on shops; typically 11:30 to 20:00
    There are a number of tempura shops in Asakusa, offering delicious deep fried seafood and vegetables. The area flourished in the Edo Period as a tempura location thanks to the availability of seafood products from nearby Tokyo Bay. The more well-known tempura restaurants include Daikokuya, San Sada and Owariya.
  • Unagi
    Hours depend on shops; typically 11:30 to 13:30 and 17:30 to 19:30
    There are also a handful of established unagi-ya (freshwater eel restaurants) in the area with histories of at least a hundred years. Unagi, or freshwater eel, is relatively expensive with prices starting at 2000 yen for lunch and more for dinner. Well known unagi-ya in Asakusa include Irokawa, Hatsuogawa and Maekawa.

Getting there and around

Asakusa is served by the Ginza Subway Line, Asakusa Subway Line, Tsukuba Express and Tobu Railway. It can also be accessed by the Tokyo Water Bus.

From Tokyo Station

Take the JR Yamanote Line to Kanda Station (2 minutes, 150 yen) and transfer to the Ginza Subway Line for Asakusa (10 minutes, 180 yen).

From Shinjuku Station

Take the orange JR Chuo Line to Kanda Station (10 minutes, 180 yen) and transfer to the Ginza Subway Line for Asakusa (10 minutes, 180 yen).

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Hotels around Tokyo

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Top rated in Asakusa
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    •
      cyashitsu ryokan asakusa
      Mid-range
      Situated in Tokyo, 300 metres from Asakusa Fujiasama Shrine and 7.5 km from the centre, cyashitsu ryokan asakusa features air-conditioned accommodation with free WiFi, and an open-air bath. This 3-star ryokan offers a lift and full-day security. The ryokan offers a hot tub and luggage storage space. At the ryokan, the units come with a wardrobe. Each unit has a safety deposit box and some rooms include city views. The units are equipped with heating facilities. At the ryokan, the family-friendly restaurant is open for dinner and specialises in Japanese cuisine. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Popular points of interest near cyashitsu ryokan asakusa include Nitenmon Gate, Edo Taito Traditional Crafts Center and Hozomon Gate. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 24 km from the property.
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      Tokyo inn Sakura An
      Mid-range
      Set in Tokyo, 200 metres from Tokyo Origami Museum and 600 metres from Komagatado, Tokyo inn Sakura An offers free bikes and air conditioning. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and full-day security, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The ryokan also offers facilities for disabled guests. The ryokan is equipped with a satellite flat-screen TV. The kitchen is fitted with an oven, a microwave and a toaster and there is a private bathroom with slippers and a hair dryer. For added privacy, the accommodation has a private entrance and soundproofing. Popular points of interest near the ryokan include Chiisanagarasunohonno Museum, Asakusa Station and Sumida Riverside Hall. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 22 km away.
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    •
      Kaminarimon Ryokan
      Luxury
      Ideally set in the centre of Tokyo, Kaminarimon Ryokan offers Asian breakfast and free WiFi throughout the property. Popular points of interest nearby include Hozomon Gate, Nitenmon Gate and Asakusa ROX Shopping Center. The property is non-smoking and is set 300 metres from Asakusa Public Hall. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a shower. The rooms come with a kettle, while selected rooms also feature a terrace and others also feature city views. At Kaminarimon Ryokan, the rooms include a seating area. Languages spoken at the reception include English and Japanese, and guests are invited to request information on the area when needed. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Drum Museum, Komagatado and Asakusa Station. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 22 km from the property.
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    •
      Asakusa HomeSuites Tokyo
      Mid-range
      Conveniently situated in the Taito district of Tokyo, Asakusa HomeSuites Tokyo is located 500 metres from Rinko-ji Temple, 400 metres from Drum Museum and 400 metres from Asakusa ROX Shopping Center. With free WiFi, this 3-star hotel offers room service. The property is 6.6 km from the city centre and 100 metres from Kappabashi-dori Shopping Street. Guest rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a fridge, a microwave, a kettle, a bidet, free toiletries and a desk. The hotel provides certain rooms that include a safety deposit box, and each room is equipped with a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. The units in Asakusa HomeSuites Tokyo are equipped with a flat-screen TV and slippers. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Matsuba Park, Kinryu Park and Sogenji Temple. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 23 km away.
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    •
      Resol Poshtel Tokyo Asakusa
      Budget-friendly
      Ideally set in the Taito district of Tokyo, Resol Poshtel Tokyo Asakusa is set 300 metres from Drum Museum, 300 metres from Kappabashi-dori Shopping Street and 500 metres from Kinryu Park. Featuring a shared lounge, the 1-star capsule hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. The property is 6.8 km from the city centre and 200 metres from Asakusa ROX Shopping Center. All guest rooms feature a safety deposit box. Popular points of interest near the capsule hotel include Asakusa Public Hall, Sogenji Temple and Honpo-ji Temple. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 24 km from the property.
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    •
      Tokyo Hikari Guesthouse
      Budget-friendly
      Located in Tokyo and with Kuramae Mizu no Yakata reachable within 300 metres, Tokyo Hikari Guesthouse provides concierge services, non-smoking rooms, a garden, free WiFi and a shared lounge. This 2-star hostel has air-conditioned rooms with a shared bathroom. The accommodation features a shared kitchen and luggage storage space for guests. Popular points of interest near the hostel include Kuramae Jinja Shrine, Jinnai Shrine and Choju-in Temple. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 21 km away.
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    •
      MONday Apart Premium Asakusa
      Luxury
      MONday Apart Premium Asakusa offers accommodation within 6.7 km of the centre of Tokyo, with free WiFi, and a kitchen with a toaster, a fridge and a stovetop. This 4-star aparthotel offers a 24-hour front desk and a lift. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. The units come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a microwave, a kettle, a bidet, slippers and a desk. There is a seating and a dining area in all units. At the aparthotel, each unit comes with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the aparthotel include Kappabashi-dori Shopping Street, Drum Museum and Asakusa ROX Shopping Center. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 29 km away.
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    •
      Ryokan Kamogawa Asakusa
      Mid-range
      Ryokan Kamogawa Asakusa is a 2-minute walk from Kaminarimon and Sensoji Temple. Asakusa Subway Station is a 5-minute walk away. The hotel offers Japanese-style accommodation with a free private bath and free internet. Guestrooms feature tatami-mat flooring and traditional futon bedding. Each room is equipped with a Japanese tea set, a fridge and a flat-screen TV. Kamogawa Asakusa Ryokan is a 5-minute walk from Tobu Train Station and a 10-minute drive from Tokyo City Air Terminal.
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    •
      MIMARU SUITES Tokyo Asakusa
      Luxury
      Situated in the Taito district in Tokyo, MIMARU SUITES Tokyo Asakusa offers 4-star rooms with free WiFi. Popular points of interest nearby include Ushijima Shrine, Asakusa Station and Komagatado. The property is 400 metres from Great Tokyo Air Raid Memorial Monument, and within 7.3 km of the city centre. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. The rooms have a wardrobe. Popular points of interest near MIMARU SUITES Tokyo Asakusa include Nitenmon Gate, Hozomon Gate and Honryuin Matsuchiyama Shoden. Tokyo Haneda Airport is 22 km from the property.
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    •
      Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu
      Mid-range
      Situated in the Asakusa area, Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu has a history of 70 years. The accommodation boasts a view of the Tokyo Skytree from its Hinoki wood bath. There is a bath for each gender on site and both the female and male baths offer a view of Senso-ji Templefs Five-storied Pagoda. Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu is situated a 5-minute walk from Asakusa Subway Station, near Nakamise-dori Street and Senso-ji Temple. Asakusa Subway Station provides direct access to Ueno, Shibuya and Ginza areas, and also to the Narita and Haneda international airports. Japanese-style rooms and Western single rooms are available. Each guest room comes equipped with air conditioning, a satellite TV, a refrigerator and an en suite bathroom. Hairdryers, yukata robes, tea sets and mineral water are provided. The street in front of the hotel is closed to general vehicles during the day and is located in a quiet area.
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Tokyo Restaurants

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      Udatsu Sushi
      Sushi
      Awarded One Star in 2024 - People from around the world visit to experience Mr. Udatsu's sushi. Inside the restaurant, which resembles an art gallery with its modern decor and numerous artworks, guests can enjoy sushi crafted from the highest quality ingredients. While the foundation is traditional nigiri, the menu also features original creations born from the chef's relentless curiosity and innovation.
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    • Waketokuyama
      Japanese (Kaiseki)
      Awarded One Star in 2025 - With a meticulous focus on allowing guests to enjoy seasonal ingredients at their peak, the menu changes approximately every two weeks. The signature dish, "Grilled Abalone with Seaweed Aroma," features thick slices of abalone generously coated in a rich liver sauce, offering an exquisite taste of the sea.
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    • Fry-ya
      Tonkatsu
      Exquisite fried dishes crafted by a head chef with experience earning stars in both Switzerland and Japan. The remarkably light tonkatsu is a favorite not only among Japanese diners but also among visitors to Japan. With the theme of "small portions, many varieties," guests can enjoy sampling a wide selection of tonkatsu in smaller portions.
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    • TEMPURA & WINE SHINO
      Tempura
      The kind of restaurant that is known only to true gourmets, serving as a sort of "Hidden gem". In a chic space with black walls and a ceiling adorned in gold, you can enjoy tempura with a light and elegant texture, delicately fried using refined techniques to achieve a thin, white batter that minimizes the aroma of oil. Savor tempura that maximizes the flavors of the ingredients, paired with Champagne and Burgundy wines carefully selected by the sommelier.
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    • Hikarimono
      Sushi
      With a prime location and quality that rivals high-end sushi restaurants, this restaurant maintains the goal of being a place for everyday dining. It offers a casual and relaxed atmosphere, free from stiffness or formality. The signature "Hikari-maki," featuring ingredients such as sardines, pickled plum, and bettarazuke (sweet pickled radish), boasts unique flavors that are especially popular among international visitors.
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    • Daikanyama Issai Kassai
      Izakaya
      The owner, Shinji Odahara, boasts a 30-year career in Japanese cuisine and has the remarkable achievement of opening a Japanese restaurant in New York that earned a star. Guests can enjoy exquisite charcoal-grilled meat dishes and rice cooked in a clay pot, all within a modern interior with dim lighting that sparks adult curiosity.
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    • Sudachi
      Japanese (Kaiseki)
      You can enjoy dishes that make the most of seasonal ingredients, transcending the traditional boundaries of Japanese cuisine. While rooted in the traditions of Japanese cooking, the menu features unique offerings such as dishes incorporating shark fin—rarely seen in Japanese cuisine—and sushi that reflects the chef's background in sushi restaurants. At the open kitchen counter, where the lively atmosphere comes alive, you can savor the culinary creations with all five senses.
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    • Torinao
      Yakitori
      In a relaxed and serene atmosphere, you can enjoy exquisite yakitori made with "Koshu Kenmidori" chicken, grilled to perfection over Kishu Binchotan charcoal for a delightful aroma. The tender and fluffy tsukune (chicken meatball) is particularly popular for its juicy flavor. Additionally, the carefully selected Japanese sake, chosen by the owner, pairs wonderfully with the yakitori.
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    • Ichiu
      Sushi
      Chef Hamano is renowned for his experience training at three different two-star restaurants. In addition to sushi, he has honed his skills in Japanese cuisine at the esteemed Akasaka Kikunoi, giving him a strong foundation in traditional Japanese culinary techniques.When it comes to nigiri, he is meticulous not only about the toppings but also the rice. He uses a premium rice variety from Akita, enhanced with two types of red vinegar and plum vinegar to create a refreshing flavor.
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    • Yakiniku Onuki
      Yakiniku
      The restaurant is proud of its "Tare Yakiniku" (grilled meat with sauce), which is made from Japanese black beef that has inherited the "excellent sauce" from the main restaurant, and is so tender that it melts in your mouth. The beef tongue is also superb. The thickly cut beef tongue is very difficult to grill, so the waiter grills it and serves it to you. Enjoy a blissful moment with wine that pairs well with the meat.
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