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.

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
  • Sensoji Temple
    Hours: 6:00 to 17:00 (from 6:30 October to March)
    Admission: Free
  • Asakusa Shrine
    Hours: Always open
    Admission: Free
  • Dempoin Temple
    Not usually open to the public

Shopping

  • Nakamise Shopping Street
    Hours depend on the individual shops; typically daily from 9:00 to 18:00
  • Shin-Nakamise Shopping Street
    Hours depend on the individual shops; typically daily from 10:00 to 19:00.
  • Kappabashi Shopping Street
    Hours: Most shops open from 9:00 to 17:00
    Closed: Many shops are closed on Sundays and national holidays
  • Rox Department Store
    Shops: 10:30 to 21:00 (supermarket is open 24 hours)
  • Tobu Asakusa Station & Matsuya Department Store
    Matsuya department store is open daily from 10:00 to 20:00
  • Asakusa Underground Street
    Hours depend on the individual shops

Other attractions

  • Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
    Hours: 9:00 to 20:00 (observation deck until 22:00)
    Closed: No closing days
  • Sumida River Cruise
  • Sumida Park
    Hours: Always open
    Admission: Free
  • Rokku Entertainment District
    Opening hours depend on the individual businesses
  • 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
  • Asahi Beer Tower
    Restaurants open 11:30 to 15:00 and 17:30 to 22:00
  • Taikokan (Drum Museum)
    Hours: 11:00 to 16:00 (entry until 15:00)
    Closed: Mondays (except national holidays) and Tuesdays
    Admission: 500 yen

Dining

  • Kamiya Bar
    Hours: 11:00 to 21:00 (last order at 20:30)
    Closed: first and last Mondays of the month, Tuesdays
  • Umezono
    Hours: 10:00 to 17:00 (until 18:00 on weekends)
    Closed on Some Wednesdays
  • Suzukien Nanaya Gelato
    Hours: 11:00 to 17:00
    Closed: Irregular closures
  • Asakusa Kagetsudo
    Hours: 11:00 until sold out (from 10:00 on weekends and national holidays)
  • Tempura
    Hours depend on shops; typically 11:30 to 20:00
  • Unagi
    Hours depend on shops; typically 11:30 to 13:30 and 17:30 to 19:30

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).

Orientation in Tokyo

Hotels around Tokyo

    • SAKE Bar Hotel Asakusa
      A boutique hotel with free-flowing Japanese sake, two-minutes from Asakusa Station. Savor our original sake while relaxing with an open-air footbath.
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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 has 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. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 24 km from the accommodation.
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    • Kaminarimon Ryokan
      Luxury
      Kaminarimon Ryokan offers accommodation with free WiFi. The rooms are air-conditioned and come with a flat-screen TV, fridge and Nespresso coffee machine. An electric kettle, a green tea set and free toiletries are provided. The hotel offers laundry service for an additional fee. Kaminarimon Ryokan is a 2-minute walk to the Asakusa Metro Station. From there, destinations like Akihabara, Ginza and Ueno are a 15-minute subway ride away. There are many dining options and convenience stores within a few minutes' walk from the hotel.
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    • Tokyo Hikari Guesthouse
      Budget-friendly
      The cosy Tokyo Hikari Guesthouse offers private rooms and dorm beds, only a 1-minute walk from Kuramae Subway Station. It also features a shared lounge with WiFi/wired internet, tea and cooking facilities, all for free. A washing machine with detergent can be used free of charge. Rooms are air-conditioned and come with extra-long beds. Linens are changed every 3 nights. Bathrooms and toilets are shared, a shared hairdryer is provided free of charge and bath towels are available with an extra charge. Open from October 2014, Tokyo Hikari has a small, sunny garden. Luggage storage is available. Guesthouse Tokyo Hikari is a 15-minute walk from Asakusa.
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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. At the capsule hotel the rooms come with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near Resol Poshtel Tokyo Asakusa include Asakusa Public Hall, Sogenji Temple and Honpo-ji Temple. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 24 km from the accommodation.
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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. This 3-star hotel offers room service and free WiFi. 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. At Asakusa HomeSuites Tokyo every room includes bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Matsuba Park, Kinryu Park and Sogenji Temple. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 23 km from Asakusa HomeSuites Tokyo.
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    • MIMARU Tokyo Asakusa Station
      Luxury
      Set in the Taito district in Tokyo, MIMARU Tokyo Asakusa Station offers 4-star rooms with free WiFi. The property is close to Sumida Riverside Hall, Chiisanagarasunohonno Museum and World Bags and Luggage Museum. The property is non-smoking and is located 200 metres from Asakusa Station. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At MIMARU Tokyo Asakusa Station all rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Komagatado, Hozomon Gate and Nitenmon Gate. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 22 km from MIMARU Tokyo Asakusa Station.
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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. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 22 km from the accommodation.
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    • KOKO HOTEL Residence Asakusa Tawaramachi
      Luxury
      Well set in the Taito district of Tokyo, KOKO HOTEL Residence Asakusa Tawaramachi is situated 500 metres from Matsuba Park, 100 metres from Eiken-ji Temple and 500 metres from Kappabashi-dori Shopping Street. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. The property is non-smoking and is located 200 metres from Honpo-ji Temple. All units are equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a kettle, a bidet, free toiletries and a desk. With a private bathroom equipped with a shower and a hairdryer, rooms at the hotel also provide guests with free WiFi. Popular points of interest near KOKO HOTEL Residence Asakusa Tawaramachi include Rinko-ji Temple, Drum Museum and Tokaku-ji Temple. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 22 km from the accommodation.
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    • Section L Kuramae - Asakusa
      Mid-range
      A recently renovated property, Section L Kuramae - Asakusa is situated in Tokyo near Kuramae Jinja Shrine, World Bags and Luggage Museum and Komagatado. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and a lift, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The aparthotel has family rooms. At the aparthotel, each unit is fitted with air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a kitchenette, a dining area and a private bathroom with slippers, a bidet and a hair dryer. A microwave, a toaster and fridge are also available, as well as a kettle. At the aparthotel, the units have bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the aparthotel include Eiken-ji Temple, Honpo-ji Temple and Drum Museum. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 21 km from Section L Kuramae - Asakusa.
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