Asakusa
Asakusa
4.5
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This popular Tokyo neighborhood is home to many shops and restaurants as well as the famed Senso-ji Temple.
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The area
Neighbourhood: Ueno, Asakusa
Traces of the history and culture of the Edo (old Tokyo) era remain vividly in Ueno and Asakusa. Spacious Ueno Park is a great place to relax and visit a variety of different museums and galleries. At Ameyoko which starts in front of Ueno station, the grocery stores and clothing shops are crammed alongside fishmongers. It gets particularly busy at the end of the year, when many people go on shopping sprees. The town of Asakusa, developed around Sensoji temple, has many shops selling goods and clothing from old Japan, making it a great place for souvenir hunting. It's also known for various annual festivals, and the whole district gets involved with the huge Sanja Festival in May.
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See what travellers are saying
- Avinash NPune District, India148 contributionsFirst time to Japan Been there !!A crowded tourist spot for first timers in Japan. Can be avoided for a priority visitation and kept only for the visit to the SensoJi Temple. Surrounded by small shops selling souvenirs and snacks. Close walk from Asakusa Station. Old japan vibe mixed with tourist influx.Visited February 2024Travelled soloWritten 3 March 2024
- Firefly78Ridgewood, New Jersey309 contributionsSensō-ji temple is a must seeStep back into history and see the great Sensō-ji buddhist temple. The ornate decorations are stunning and people dressed in traditional attire add to the beauty of this majesty place. There are also many shops that sell various foods and souvenirs.Visited May 2024Travelled soloWritten 17 May 2024
- Arun YadavMount Abu, India8 contributionsSenso-Ji Temple JapanA bustling tourist destination in Japan, best saved for a visit to Senso-ji Temple. Nearby, quaint shops offer souvenirs and snacks. Conveniently located near Asakusa Station, it blends traditional Japanese charm with tourist activity.Visited December 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 22 May 2024
- Howard J1 contributionMust-go place!This was our first time in Tokyo and Asakusa! We've got to see traditional craft shops and street-food stalls along Nakamise Street near the ancient Sensō-ji temple. Was amazing! Asakusa is one of our favorite place.Visited May 2024Travelled with familyWritten 24 May 2024
- TishSan Francisco, California131 contributionsIf you are staying over here it is worth visitingWe enjoyed visting this area. The temple is impressive, but too busy and grounds are not nearly as nice as any of the temples or shrines in Kyoto, but our daughter liked that she could dress up in kimono and have pictures. Lots of vendors in the area for gifts and food. If you go further away, there are kitchen and knife stores on quieter streets. Also it's a large area, so we didn't explore it all. Too many tourists! Our teens liked Akihabara Electric town too, but that was just a few nights until they discovered Shibuya area.Visited June 2024Travelled with familyWritten 30 June 2024
- roy vTraralgon, Australia6,027 contributionsA must place to visit when in TokyoThis is truly a must destination when you are in Tokyo, it is a real eye opening experience . We walked a couple of Kilometres from our hotel but easy to get to by train. When you first approach the place and see the big old gate with the huge magical lanterns and the people about you know it is a special place. Been part of the history and culture of this area for generations. When you walk through the the huge Kaminarimon Gate under the huge red lantern then walk into the very very busy NAKAMISE Shopping Street you are in a different world, feel yourself taken back in time and enjoy the atmosphere of this vibrant street. Many little shops selling all sorts of food , drink , clothes , gifts and souvenirs, you can just about find anything you heart desires. You then go on to see the ASAKUSA Shrine and SENSOJI Temple, take in the view of the magnificent Pagoda. The whole place can be a bit overwhelming, you are experiencing a lot of marvellous Japanese architecture , culture, tradition and history. On top of all that it will be busy, most likely crazy busy, just go with the flow and enjoy the experience, we did .Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 3 August 2024
- kathyh6642017Bellingham, Washington120 contributionsImpressive area of TokyoWe went here one evening. Impressive! Lots of people, temples, eateries, shopping. It was fun to wander all over. Most eateries charge a 300 yen cover charge that isn't always stated. Just outside are major shops and a river walk. Pretty all lit up at night. Lots of traffic on, around, above the river. People seemed to like renting kimono's and walking around here. There were also rickshaws for hire but that just seems weird in the modern world to have a person pulling you around.Visited September 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 25 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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alittlebitofskye
Sydney, Australia578 contributions
Nov 2019 • Couples
Visited here on the morning of leaving Japan. We got there early to avoid massive crowds, the shops hadn’t opened yet but it was interesting to stand back and watch the locals go about their morning business, deliveries and what not. The area is a more traditional area of Tokyo which attracts lots of visitors. You walk through an avenue of shops until you reach the temple. The area acknowledges its history by having statues of samurais hanging off buildings. It was nice to walk around the streets early in the morning, minus the huge crowds. The perfect way finish off our Japan trip.
Written 29 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emily D
Osaka, Japan255 contributions
Oct 2020 • Solo
Famous for the amazing entrance with the long shopping street that lines the walk up to the main temple and pagoda, Asakusa is worth the visit. For the first time I was able to view inside the main temple too. To get a goshuin (temple stamp) there is a small building off to the right (if looking at the main temple). Still people around at the moment, but a significantly better experience without thousands of tourists. Always worth the visit but particularly at the moment.
Written 26 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gill2k
Canada73 contributions
Mar 2023
This neighborhood was the first one we visited in our trip to Japan and we absolutely loved it. I love it's old school charm amidst the urban jungle of Tokyo. The huge red lantern at the Kaminarimon gate and the temple grounds are stunning! Lots of shops at the main street Nakamise Dori. Try out some candied strawberry, buy some trinkets for souvenirs, get some melon bread... it's worth a stroll even with the crowds.
Tip: If you want less crowded pics in the temple grounds, go very early in the morning. We were jetlagged and went here around 8 in the morning. We got off at Asakusa Station and took a leisurely stroll along Sumida Park to get to Sensoji Temple. The place was not yet busy and we were able to line up first at the nearby Kagetsudo for some good Melon Bread.
Tip: If you want less crowded pics in the temple grounds, go very early in the morning. We were jetlagged and went here around 8 in the morning. We got off at Asakusa Station and took a leisurely stroll along Sumida Park to get to Sensoji Temple. The place was not yet busy and we were able to line up first at the nearby Kagetsudo for some good Melon Bread.
Written 15 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ManitraRakotoson
22 contributions
Jan 2020
Asakusa has a very different atmosphere compared to other areas of Tokyo. It was also a very unique and original experience to have discovered Asakusa during a rickshaw tour and have being guided by Tyga, a very professional helpful dynamic person. Discovering the street food was a very memorable moment as well as visiting the Senso-ji Temple. Asakusa should not be definitely missed.
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
peapod33
Austin, TX1,269 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
The Asakusa area was one of our favorites in Tokyo. It was less commercial (way less ads/crowds/ hecticness) with a more chill vibe. While it appeals to tourists, they don't have annoying hawkers trying to grab you into restaurants, not glaring ads & neon. It's not looking to be an "Instagram spot" and there were a lot of locals and a lot of restaurants that had been there for decades. A nice mix of street food, restaurants, temples, and specialty shops. Attraction areas of Hoppy Street (old school food), Kappabashi Street (great kitchen supplies, quality knives), and Senjo-Ji temple. There is also a few blocks of commercial shopping & attractions (arcade, batting cage, big Don Quixote). The Senso-Ji temple area can get quite busy- come before/at opening or late hours. There are a few lovely "mini shrines" in the area, as well as the larger shrine and a corridor of options to purchase insence, Ema prayer boards or omikuji paper fortune.
Highly recommend stopping at a melon pan store called Sakura (around since 1045). The small line moves quickly and it's the crispiest, softest sweet bread and you can get with your choice of ice cream if you wish. When we were there it was vanilla, chocolate, sweet potato, matcha or cookies & cream. It is heaven. We also recommend a a daifuku/ handmade sweets places around the corner called Asakusa Ichigoza. So sweet, fresh, soft and juicy strawberries. All the Taiyaki in the covered "shopping arcade" area was fabulous as well. Try the peach as well as the classic red bean paste.
Easy walk from the Ueno area. You could easily to Asakusa and Ueno Park in the same day.
Highly recommend stopping at a melon pan store called Sakura (around since 1045). The small line moves quickly and it's the crispiest, softest sweet bread and you can get with your choice of ice cream if you wish. When we were there it was vanilla, chocolate, sweet potato, matcha or cookies & cream. It is heaven. We also recommend a a daifuku/ handmade sweets places around the corner called Asakusa Ichigoza. So sweet, fresh, soft and juicy strawberries. All the Taiyaki in the covered "shopping arcade" area was fabulous as well. Try the peach as well as the classic red bean paste.
Easy walk from the Ueno area. You could easily to Asakusa and Ueno Park in the same day.
Written 6 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cgillet71
Paris, France145 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
Ideal area to stay there. First visit to the city very close with the Senso-ji, Sky Tree nearby, bcp restaurants, amenities, including 2 metro lines convenient enough to go to key areas of the city in a fairly direct way (Ueno, Tokyo Station, Shibuya or airports).
Tobu Asakusa Station is the starting point for going to Nikko, there is an office in the lobby to reserve your Nikko pass and train tickets.
We highly recommend this neighborhood, as a base to discover Tokyo.
Tobu Asakusa Station is the starting point for going to Nikko, there is an office in the lobby to reserve your Nikko pass and train tickets.
We highly recommend this neighborhood, as a base to discover Tokyo.
Automatically translated
Written 14 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
649001
Springfield361 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
It is a must see in Tokyo.
Go through Kaminarimon gate where the god of thunder and god of wind are standing. Look up at the dragon at the base of the huge red lamp at the entrance when passing through the gate and make a wish. The current gates are from the 1960s, and were built from the donation of a Panasonic founder whose bad knee was successfully treated at Asakusa.
Come to see Senso-ji Buddhist temple. It is so beautiful and impressive! There is a 5-story pagoda with a golden spire nearby. Three huge lanterns in the shape of pomegranates (one red with hieroglyphics, and two gold and black) are hanging at the entrance of the gate to Senso-ji temple. There are two scary guardian statues, one with open mouth (making sounds "Ooo" or "Aaa"), and another with closed mouth (making sound "Mmm" or "Nnn") - first and last letters of Sanskrit alphabet. Together they inhale and exhale, and also make a meditation sound "Ommm".
You can try to check your fortune by paying 100 yen and reading a text on a strip of paper. If the results are bad which according to our guide happens about 50 percent of the time you have an option of refusing to take it.
You can try to treat your illnesses via smoke from an incense burner. Don't forget to wash your hands and mouth before entering the temple.
After Senso-ji Temple, see a smaller Asakusa Shrine which is a Shinto Shrine (you cannot enter it). There are two lions in front of it, one with an open mouth, another with closed mouth. These lions look like dogs . Probably, the people who made them had never seen a lion...According to our guide 70% of Japanese people practice Shinto religion, and 70% are practicing Buddhism, so there are a lot of people who practice both.
Asahi Beer Hall is a beautiful golden building that looks like a glass of beer with foam. There is also a structure which is supposed to be a golden flame but actually looks like a golden poo...
Go through Kaminarimon gate where the god of thunder and god of wind are standing. Look up at the dragon at the base of the huge red lamp at the entrance when passing through the gate and make a wish. The current gates are from the 1960s, and were built from the donation of a Panasonic founder whose bad knee was successfully treated at Asakusa.
Come to see Senso-ji Buddhist temple. It is so beautiful and impressive! There is a 5-story pagoda with a golden spire nearby. Three huge lanterns in the shape of pomegranates (one red with hieroglyphics, and two gold and black) are hanging at the entrance of the gate to Senso-ji temple. There are two scary guardian statues, one with open mouth (making sounds "Ooo" or "Aaa"), and another with closed mouth (making sound "Mmm" or "Nnn") - first and last letters of Sanskrit alphabet. Together they inhale and exhale, and also make a meditation sound "Ommm".
You can try to check your fortune by paying 100 yen and reading a text on a strip of paper. If the results are bad which according to our guide happens about 50 percent of the time you have an option of refusing to take it.
You can try to treat your illnesses via smoke from an incense burner. Don't forget to wash your hands and mouth before entering the temple.
After Senso-ji Temple, see a smaller Asakusa Shrine which is a Shinto Shrine (you cannot enter it). There are two lions in front of it, one with an open mouth, another with closed mouth. These lions look like dogs . Probably, the people who made them had never seen a lion...According to our guide 70% of Japanese people practice Shinto religion, and 70% are practicing Buddhism, so there are a lot of people who practice both.
Asahi Beer Hall is a beautiful golden building that looks like a glass of beer with foam. There is also a structure which is supposed to be a golden flame but actually looks like a golden poo...
Written 20 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
goi⋆⸜ ⚘ ⸝⋆
Tokyo, Japan6,242 contributions
Feb 2024 • Solo
Ueno - Sensoji Temple - Tokyo Skytree
🐼 - 🏮⛩️ - 🗼🚩
Early morning running
... tatatatat ヘ(*¨)ノ🌅
You can get tired of the crowds at Sensoji Temple during the day, but in the mornings you can spend a peaceful time 𓈒𓏸︎︎︎︎
I recommend staying nearby and going out early in the morning ✨
🐼 - 🏮⛩️ - 🗼🚩
Early morning running
... tatatatat ヘ(*¨)ノ🌅
You can get tired of the crowds at Sensoji Temple during the day, but in the mornings you can spend a peaceful time 𓈒𓏸︎︎︎︎
I recommend staying nearby and going out early in the morning ✨
Written 10 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travelove58
15,633 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Asakusa is a must go to tourists place when in Tokyo. Besides the famous Temple & Skytree, it has many shops/dining. A special feature here which one often see in vlogs & seems to be unique to Asakysa are the colorful Rickshaws - run by young men & women. We stayed one nite here to explore the place but not more, as Shinjuku/Tokyo Station areas are more convenient for travelling out if Tokyo or to other parts of Tokyo.
Written 12 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ムーミンパパ
Japan86 contributions
Feb 2024 • Solo
Our visit overlapped with a holiday, so it was crowded and we couldn't shop or see the sights smoothly.
There are many shops and you can enjoy a wide range of things.
The area is 400m square, but if you walk a little further you can reach other areas in the city center and enjoy different things.
There are many shops and you can enjoy a wide range of things.
The area is 400m square, but if you walk a little further you can reach other areas in the city center and enjoy different things.
Written 12 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ร้าน ขนมปังเลม่อน ไอศกรีม อยู่ไหนครับ
Written 20 September 2022
ร้าน ขนมปังเลม่อน ไอศกรีม อยู่ไหนครับ
Written 20 September 2022
How early or late can you go , wondering if I could go early morning or late at night l?
Written 29 July 2019
Shops open around 10 or 11, closes near to 5 to 6pm. Best to visit early, then head west towards ueno, akihabara, ginza or tokyo station. Once done, head west again to shinjuku or shibuya for late night activities.
Written 28 August 2019
Salve, è fattibile visitare Asakusa in 2 ore ? O è poco ?
Grazie
Written 27 February 2019
scusa il ritardo....e' possibile ma ci stai stretto ,e' sempre affollatissimo.e dovresti un po; correre se ce la fai...buona fortuna..
Written 6 July 2019
I’ve booked 5 rooms at the Richmond premier international hotel in Asakusa and 1 room at the Richmond Hotel Asakusa...( thinking it was the same place)
Anyone know how far this is away from each other?
Thank you!
Written 22 February 2018
Hi there Heidistar99 ,
Sorry for the late reply .The two hotels are right next to each other , as our fellow travelers wrote here .
Asakusa is very interesting : Of coarse you will visit Asakusa Shrine ; Sensoji Temple ; Hozomon Gate ; The Budhist (4 levels) Temple and the pedestrian street market .
Make sure not to miss the Asakusa Culture Tourist info. center , with its upper floor observation balcony , and enjoy a drink at the little bar there . enjoying watching through the window the panorama down below .
Written 23 February 2018
Lots of restaurants and little bars open, but definitely quieter at night. The temple is beautiful at night when the lights are on.
Written 26 January 2017
Thanks how much travel money will I need for me and my son to Tokyo
Written 4 May 2016
Mid range hotel sharing double ¥7000-8000. Food per person per meal ¥ 500-700. Trains ¥ 500-1000 per person per day. Entrance fees ¥ 1000-2000 per person per day. I'd say 200 USD per 2 persons per day. I follow the golden rule for travelers......always carry half the goods you think you will need and carry double the money you think you will need.
Written 5 May 2016
Hi I'm going in July just asking for any tips my first time going with my son were staying in asakusa and is the train hard to understand. I would just like as much help as possible. Is it best to get train from the airport and we're can I get a train ticket. We only want to do shopping and my son loves anime and also my mom likes shopping
Written 16 February 2016
Hi there..... Wow you guys are lucky, I can't wait to go back!! Asakusa is one of the best places to be based (in my opinion).... Trains are easy to navigate once you get your bearings. Make sure you get a Suica or Pasmo card - ask your travel agent if they can get one for you with your Japan Rail Pass - if you're getting one of those too. Either one of those cards makes it easy to use the subway system as you wont have to fiddle with change and you can top them up when required. If you need to get the train from the Airport you get on the NEX train. This can be bought at the airport on arrival. The best app/website to have is HYPERDIA.....this makes train travel soooooo easy. And be sure to organise to collect a pocket wifi dongle on arrival - this is a must if you want internet connection whenever you need it. Unless you read fluent Japsnese it is very hard to know what you are signing up for when you use free wifi. Not too sure about anime, but there is a centre in Tokyo - check out other forums on TA. Shopping - where do I start??? Shinjuku, Harijuku, Daiso shops, brilliant massive department stores - you won't find it hard to shop there. Good luck with your trip!!
Written 18 February 2016
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