Experience the retro delights of traditional Tokyo while hitting the streets of Asakusa.

Experience the retro delights of traditional Tokyo while hitting the streets of Asakusa.

Take your first steps out onto the streets of Asakusa and be immersed in the atmosphere of ancient Tokyo. The main attraction is the large and colorful temple Sensoji. Built in 645 to honor Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy, Tokyo’s oldest temple draws 30 million visitors a year. Your visit begins at the dramatically named—and visually dramatic—Kaiminarimon (literally “thunder gate”), which is flanked by two imposing statues of Fujin and Raijin, the gods of wind and thunder respectively. The complex has much more to see, from the five-story pagoda to tucked-away shrines and statues.

From there, follow Nakamise-dori, a bustling shopping street lined with stalls hawking traditional crafts and trinkets, from lucky charms and fans to chopsticks and wind chimes. It’s the perfect place to pick up a souvenir while sampling some of the many snacks like senbei rice crackers. Or try ningyoyaki, small, light cakes that are filled with sweet bean paste and baked in various cute shapes. The surrounding streets are also filled with shops selling everything from swords to secondhand kimono.

The area sits adjacent to the Sumida River, a great place for a stroll. For a change of pace, cross the Sumida River Walk to one of the latest new developments in the area, Tokyo Mizumachi. Nestled on the river, you’ll find several restaurants and cafes, including Australian coffee and Japanese craft beer (scheduled to open in 2021), alongside a hotel and even a bouldering gym. From there, it’s a short walk to Tokyo Skytree. At a height of 634 meters, it’s officially the tallest free-standing broadcasting tower in the world. Plus, Skytree Town offers even more shopping and sightseeing opportunities.

Asakusa and Tokyo Mizumachi

Asakusa and Tokyo Mizumachi

If you need proof that Tokyo is a place where old meets new, look no further than Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree, and Tokyo Mizumachi! Asakusa is a place full of the retro charms of traditional Japan, where Skytree and Mizumachi offer all the wonder and conveniences of modern Japan that make the metropolis the city it is today! Easily accessed from other parts of the city, there are enough shopping and sightseeing opportunities to spend an entire day.

 

And we’ve got plenty of ideas to round out your visit over at our model itineraries here.

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