Asakusa - Temples, Shrines and Shopping - Asakusa - Things To Do Reviews

Asakusa is considered the heart of old downtown Tokyo.

There is so much to see and do as well as experiencing some of the flavour of the old downtown area.

I recommend getting off at Asakusa station and heading to the Karimon Gate (this is the outter gate of Sensoji Temple.) Walk down Nakamise Dori (Shopping street that leads up to Sensoji Temple). Nakamise Dori has many shops selling japanese snacks and souviners. If you are looking to buy a lucky cat "Maneki Neko" also known as beckoning cat then this is the place to buy it there is a wide varitey available. Once you get to the end of Nakamise Dori you will arrive at Sensoji Temple. Sensoji Temple is a very popular Buddhist Temple. At the entrance you will see the insence smoke which is used to cleanse yourself before entering the Temple and upon entering the Temple once inside you will see people praying.

Also around this area you can see the Five storey Pagoda, Asakusa Shrine (Jinja) and Denpoin Temple.

Kappabashi Dori (Kitchenware street)which is Tokyo's wholesale resturant supply area. It is also worth visiting and why not pick up one of the plastic replicas of food that you see in many of Tokyo's resturant windows.

While in Asakusa you can also experience some of old edo times of this downtown city by taking a rickshaw ride. You will see the rickshaws at the Karimon Gate entrance.

Asakusa is also home to the headquarters of the Asahi Brewery. There are tours available daily but only available in Japanese.

For food I recommend going to the Kamiya Beer Bar resturant. It is the Oldest bar in town since 1880. Food and drink are very reasonably priced. It is located on the 2nd floor of the Kamiya Bar building which is located just out of the exit of Asakusa station.

Near the Asakusa train station you can also take a cruise down the Sumida river and get a view of Tokyo from the water. The cruise takes you to Odaiba (Tokyo Bay Island). I recommend getting of here and exploring the many shops, resturants and sights.

This is a must see while in Tokyo.