Konnichiwa / こんにちは / Hello!
Asakusa is an old-fashioned district in Tokyo, Japan and home to Tokyo’s oldest temple, making it a popular tourist area. Asakusa was once known as being the shadier part of town as Tokyo’s entertainment district, but this changed after most of the area was destroyed during WWII. While Asakusa was rebuilt, the entertainment part of it didn’t return.
You won’t find flashy neon signs everywhere in Asakusa like you would in districts such as Shinjuku, Akihabara, or Shibuya. There aren’t many tall buildings in Asakusa and most shops are independently owned, giving this area a completely different vibe from most of Tokyo. Exploring the small side streets of Asakusa offers a more traditional feel of Tokyo, and will almost feel as if you time traveled back to the Edo period (1603 – 1868).
With plenty of things to do, Asakusa is a must-visit neighborhood in Tokyo. You could easily spend a whole day exploring Asakusa and its surrounding areas! Here are 8 things to do in Asakusa, with a few additional things to do in its surrounding area. Map included at the end, so keep scrolling!
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Things to Do in Asakusa
Table of Contents
1. Get a free view of Asakusa
The Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center (yeah, it’s a mouthful) is a perfect first stop when visiting Asakusa. The 8th floor observation deck offers a FREE view of Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree across the Sumida River. WiFi and outlets are also available if you need to check-in or recharge for the day.
ASAKUSA CULTURE TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER
Address: 2-18-9 Kaminarimon, Taito 111-0034, Tokyo, Japan
Hours: Open Daily 9AM – 8PM
2. Ride on a Rickshaw
Asakusa is the only place in Tokyo, Japan where you take a traditional rickshaw ride. A 30-minute ride typically costs about $50 for one person or $80 for two people. Though a bit pricey, it’s a unique way to see Asakusa. You can find the rickshaws in front of Kaminarimon.
3. Pass through Kaminarimon
Kaminarimon or “thunder gate” is the outer of two gates that lead to Sensoji Temple. With it’s massive lantern and towering statues, Kaminarimon is hard to miss. Be sure to pass through the gate to truly feel its grand size.
KAMINARIMON
Address: 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito 111-0032, Tokyo, Japan
Hours: Open 24 Hours
4. Take a stroll down Nakamise Dori
Nakamise Dori is a pedestrian shopping street that spans from Kaminarimon to Sensoji Temple. Nakamise Dori is lined with independent vendors selling all sorts of traditional Japanese items and snacks. This is a great place to buy souvenirs and try Japanese street snacks. If you buy any street snacks, do not walk and eat, there are little designated areas to eat your food.
NAKAMISE DORI
Address: 1-36-3 Asakusa, Taito 111-0032, Tokyo, Japan
Hours: Open Daily 10AM – 5PM (most stores)
5. Get your fortune told at Sensoji Temple
Sensoji is considered Tokyo’s oldest temple, dating back to the 7th century though the current buildings were all reconstructed after WWII. Sensoji is also Tokyo’s most popular temple, so don’t be surprised if it’s packed when you visit. For just 100 yen (approximately $1 USD), you can get your fortune told at the temple. You can also make a prayer or burn an incense as well. The temple grounds are quite big and open 24 hours so try to check it out at night when no one is there.
SENSOJI
Address: 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito 111-0032, Tokyo, Japan
Hours: Open 24 Hours (temple grounds)
6. Check out Japan’s oldest amusement park
Hanayashiki Amusement Park first opened in 1853 as a flower park (hana = flower in Japanese). It is considered to be Japan’s oldest amusement park in operation today. Hanayashiki is great place to spend your afternoon and is just a short walk from Sensoji Temple.
HANAYASHIKI
Address: 2-28-1 Asakusa, Taito 111-0032, Tokyo, Japan
Hours: Open Daily 10AM – 6PM
7. Try the strongest matcha gelato in the world
Suzukien is famous for their matcha gelato, which they claim is the most intense in the world and is available in 7 different intensity levels. People typically pair a scoop of matcha with a scoop of a more subtle flavor like strawberry or vanilla. If you’re a fan of matcha, you have to try this place out.
SUZUKIEN
Address: 3-4-3 Asakusa, Taito 111-0032, Tokyo, Japan
Hours: Open Daily 10AM – 5PM
8. Go shopping at Ekimise
Ekimise is a shopping complex in Asakusa with everything from department stores to independent vendors. If you find yourself at Ekimise, make sure to visit Seria, a 100 yen shop that sells aesthetically pleasing ceramics and home decor for less than a $1 USD.
EKIMISE
Address: 1-4-1 Hanakawado, Taito 111-0033, Tokyo, Japan
Hours: Open Daily 10AM – 8PM
Do you need a place to stay in Asakusa?
We had the chance to stay at WIRED Hotel in Asakusa for three nights at the end of our month-long trip around Japan and can’t recommend it enough! WIRED Hotel offers a variety of rooms from shared bunk rooms to dream worthy suites. Perfect for honestly, everyone. It is located just a short 5 minute walk from Sensoji Temple and close to many of the locations mentioned in this guide.
WIRED HOTEL
Address: 2-16-2 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan
Check in: 3PM
Check out: 11AM
Phone number: +81 3-5830-7931
For more information, visit the official website.
Check out our full review here: WIRED Hotel Review
Things to do in Asakusa Map
Which of these things would you do in Asakusa?
Comment below!
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I have always been drawn to the architecture of Japan. You have done a fabulous job of capturing it in your beautiful photography! It makes me want to go there and learn more about these places you have written about!
Aw, thank you so much! The architecture in Japan is amazing, I found myself snapping pictures left and right just walking down the street.
Hey, great article and great picture!! Particularly love the map with all the little icons, so useful!! 🙂
Thank you! I’ll be incorporating more maps in future posts 🙂
Such a stunning post! Love the tips and details, so informative. I didn’t know anything about Asakusa before but now I want to put it on my list!
Asakusa is a must if you’re visiting Tokyo!
I can’t believe I missed the free observation tower! I stayed not too far from Asakusa when I was there a few years ago and it was the best decision since there was so much action in that area basically all the time. The only thing that stressed me out was that the transit system is super confusing and I had no idea which exit to use when I was coming above ground. Totally lost, I spotted a familiar landmark and was able to orient myself. Fair to say the Golden Turd guided me home lol
Oh no, the observation tower might’ve been my favorite part! Guess you’ll need to revisit Tokyo 😉 I totally agree, the subway stations are so massive, going out the wrong exit will put you on different sides of town! Glad the Golden Turd helped guide you home, hahah.
This is so awesome! I’ll be in Tokyo in a couple months and will use this when planning my itinerary!!
So jealous, hope you have an amazing trip to Tokyo!
Wow Asakusa looks so cool. I would defintiely like to take a stroll down Nakamise Dori. All the things that you can shop there look so funny. In case I travel to Asakusa, Japan I will definitely consider this guide again.
This is a great list of things to do. I have always wanted to go to Asakusa. Glad to have a nice idea of what to do when I go
I loooove Asakusa! But I still have some stuff to do from this list! Well… I guess I have to go back, then 😀
I love taking panoramic pictures of cities so the Tokyo sky tree would be the perfect activity perfect for me and I’d get bragging rights to going up the tallest communications tower in the world. I’ve never heard of the Asahi Beer Tower, but it’s a very unique building, I’ver tried the beer so I’d have to visit. I’ve never seen or heard of Matcha ice-cream, your photo makes it look very tempting, I’d love to try it.
I didn’t get a chance to go up Tokyo Skytree, but am planning to next time I visit! I’ve seen pictures of the view, and it’s breathtaking! Matcha ice cream is my favorite, I’m a green tea fend haha.
I have a huge fascination with Japan and have been bookmarking posts like this to use whenever I finally make it there. I always love visiting the "old" areas of a city and Asakusa looks really full of everything that is quaint and unique about Japan with the addition of tradition and culture. Lovely post.
Sounds like Asakusa is perfect for you! You won’t be disappointed 🙂
Japan absolutely fascinates me! I love the culture, the history, the temples, the food! I just can’t get enough of it! (Although I’d probably give the macha gelato a miss!) Asakusa sounds like a great place to get a feel for ‘older’ Japan, minus the neon. I’ll add it to my list!
Somewhere I have been wanting to visit for so long! Such an interesting and diverse part of Japan. I wonder how accurate those fortunes are……? Love your pics, especially the food. Okonomiyaki is soooooo yum!
Haha I guess you’ll have to get your fortune told and see how accurate it is! If you receive a bad one, you can tie it up so that it doesn’t come true.
Sounds like such a great city to visit!
Adding to my bucket list!
Looks like you had a bit of a rainy visit. Still seems like there was a lot to do though. Thanks for sharing!
How timely! I’m heading to Tokyo in August and will definitely add this to my list. Matcha is one of my favorite things in the world, so I’m looking forward to trying the world’s strongest matcha! And I know my daughter will enjoy the shopping there. Thanks for sharing!
It’s going to be hot in Tokyo in August, so pack accordingly! Can’t wait for you to try out the matcha ice cream, it’s delicious!
This looks like a great district in Tokyo. I have always wanted to visit. one day I’ll get there and I’m going for some of that Ice Cream!
That’s a great guide. I am yet to visit Tokyo. I second that walking down the famous street and eating local snacks is great fun. However not walking around and eating was a bit new. But guess it may be the local tradition. Lovely pictures
Yes, it’s a cultural thing! For the most part Japanese people do not walk and eat, it helps cut down on littering.
Such interesting things to do. I love going for the bird’s eye view of all the cities that I visit. The rickshaw ride sounds fun. Sensoji temple and Tokyo skytree are on my list. Well, well the matcha gelato looks very tempting.
I haven’t heard of Asakusa before – people normally write about more well known districts such as Akihabara. It looks beautiful though, I love the traditional architecture of the temples. I find the the Golden Turd on the beer tower pretty strange, is it suppose to be anything in particular or is it actually meant to be a golden turd?
Haha, it’s supposed to be a golden flame!
I feel like this was written for me haha! I’m making my 1st trip to Japan in November. I cannot wait. I also have no idea where to start when it comes to ‘things to do’. This has been pinned for future reference, thank you!
I’m so excited for you! Glad you found this post helpful 🙂
I love Asakusa. Though it is slightly touristy but I still loved my time there. The eight things you shared were exactly what i did.
Great minds think alike 😉
I haven’t been to Japan yet but I am eager to go soon so Asakusa is on my list. I love street food so I would love to go to Nakamise Dori. I had my fortune read in a temple in Taiwan once and would love to do that again too. Thanks for the informative post.
Asakusa is perfect for street food! Hope you are able to visit Asakusa and its surrounding areas in the near future.
I would totally want my fortune told in the Sensoji Temple. The food looks so yummy too!
I love this because I LOVE Japan! I’ll have to try that matcha ice cream next time! And get my fortune told!
I love reading about places that aren’t already on my bucket list — that matcha gelato is reason enough for me to go here!
Glad you were able to discover a new place!
Nice!! I was there last there but didn’t know about the free view on Asakusa! I’ll definitely go check it out next time.
Glad you know now for next time! Definitely a must when in Asakusa.
I want to do everything here! All the food looks so delicious and I would love to ride on a Rickshaw, never been to this part of Japan!
It’s a lot less busy than the rest of Tokyo, definitely check it out next time!
I so want to visit Japan! And your post was very helpful. If I ever make it there I am definitely trying the ice-cream 😀
Thank you! The ice cream itself is worth making the trip 😉
We had being in Japan 3 times, and always stayed in Asakusa while in Tokyo. We love the atmosphere there. One more thing to try there are the traditional bars whith their awesome food. They open late close to Senjoji, and it is quite an experience.