Tokyo/Asakusa



Asakusa (浅草) is a part of Tokyo's downtown Taito district, best known for its many temples, particularly Sensō-ji, Tokyo's largest Buddhist temple.

Understand
Sensoji temple has been here since 645, but Asakusa only became a major entertainment district during the Edo period when the officials managing the rice warehouses in nearby Kuramae started coming here to party. The area's golden age was during the Meiji and Taisho periods, when it boasted Tokyo's first Western bar (Kamiya Bar, see ), its first amusement park (Hanayashaki, see ), countless theatres, and the gangsters, prostitutes and other colorful characters that came with the territory. However, it was bombed flat during World War II and despite being rebuilt never quite recovered, with the action moving west to Shinjuku, Roppongi, etc.

Today's Asakusa is Tokyo's tourist epicenter, with lots of affordable accommodation, easy direct access to both Haneda and Narita airports, and plenty of businesses catering to visitors. You'll see lots of tourists being carted around the streets in rickshaws or walking the streets dolled up in kimonos and geisha makeup, and the crowds around Sensoji in particular can be immense, but quiet residential neighborhoods with little restaurants and local temples are only a block or two away from the beaten path.

By plane
There are direct through train services from both Haneda Airport (40 min) and Narita Airport (1 hr) to Asakusa subway station on the Toei Asakusa Line. From Narita it's around 15 min faster to take the Skyliner express via Ueno, but this costs more and requires a subway transfer.

Alternatively, the Airport Limousine bus service runs every day from Narita Airport to Asakusa for ¥3,100. It arrives at Asakusa View Hotel, right next to Asakusa Station.

A direct taxi from Haneda to Asakusa will run you around ¥9,000 including expressway tolls.

By train
Asakusa is the terminus of the Metro Ginza line (G19), which is the best way to get into the area, perhaps by connecting from the Yamanote line at Ueno. Other options are to take the eponymous Toei Asakusa line (A18), which carves a path through eastern and southern Tokyo, or by taking the Toei Oedo Line to the Kuramae Station (E11), or by using the Tobu Skytree Line.

Asakusa is also the terminus of the Tobu Nikko line, offering direct access to the shrines and national parls of Nikko, 2 hours away.

Cruises down the Sumida River (Sumida-gawa) depart from a wharf only a 5-minute walk from the temple, by the Azuma-bashi bridge. There are a number of boat routes available, so have a look at the map and choose one. The largest operator is Suijo Bus.

Sensō-ji
Sensō-ji (浅草寺), also known as Asakusa Kannon, is Tokyo's largest Buddhist temple and a major attraction for Japanese and foreigners alike. Destroyed in World War 2, the main buildings and gates were rebuilt between 1951 and 1973. Take the Asakusa exit of the subway and follow the crowds.



Buy




Eat
Asakusa is famous for its senbei rice crackers, grilled on the spot, flavored with soy and usually wrapped in seaweed. There are many competing shops in the Nakamise arcade, and packages of senbei are a very popular souvenir among the Japanese as well. Kaminari okoshi, a sweet snack made of rice, peanuts, and syrup, originated from food stalls near Kaminarimon in the Edo period. Asakusa is also famous for its tempura, fried prawns and vegetables. You can find many tempura restaurants (high and low budget) in the streets near Nakamise-dori Street.

Mid-range




Splurge


Photogenic yakatabune (屋形船) boats lit up with red lanterns on both sides offer dinner cruises with drinks and traditional entertainment. These were once a staple of corporate entertainment but are now largely the domain of tourists. Like floating restaurants anywhere in the world, the experience is kitschy, mediocre and expensive, with an average 3-hour package clocking in at around ¥10,000/person &mdash; and remember, there's no escape once the karaoke starts.



See the Yakatabune Association website for a full list of options.

There's a cluster of low-key sushi restaurants tucked away in the quiet streets north of Sensoji.



Drink


Given that it was once Tokyo's premier nightlife destination, Asakusa goes to bed pretty early these days. But there are still a few watering holes to be found if you look around.

The local specialty is Denki Bran ("Electric Brandy"), a stiff brandy-based cocktail which originated at the Kamiya Bar but can be ordered at most drinking establishments in the area. Tourist shops also hawk a green abomination called Matcha Beer that has tea ceremony inventor Sen no Rikyu spinning in his grave.





Sleep
Asakusa is a popular accommodation choice for budget travelers and there are many cheap ryokan catering to foreigners in the area. For even cheaper (but less convenient) options, see the Taito district article.

Go next
The street markets and museums of Ueno are directly west of Asakusa, while Sumida of Skytree and sumo fame is immediately across the river.

Asakusa is a large Tokyo hub of the private Tobu railway, and you can be transported to a different world in two hours:


 * Ashikaga
 * Kinugawa &mdash; a hot-spring resort fallen on hard times
 * Nikko &mdash; with its national parks and opulent shrines
 * Tatebayashi
 * Tochigi — A worthwhile day trip from Tokyo for its preserved architecture and old shops.