Neighbourhood in Taito
Asakusa
浅草
Old Tokyo around Senso-ji temple, with the Kaminarimon gate, the Nakamise shopping street and the Sumida River on its east side.
- places to see
- 8
- walk past the highlights
- 3.7 km
- Tokyo
- Taito
Photo: Ken Eckert (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab), from Wikimedia Commons
Asakusa grew up around Senso-ji, a Buddhist temple dedicated to Kannon, and for centuries it was Tokyo's main entertainment district. Most visits follow the same line: through the Kaminarimon gate, up the Nakamise stalls, into the temple, then out into the side streets of small restaurants and craft shops.
It sits at the eastern end of the Ginza subway line, with the Sumida River and Tokyo Skytree just across the water. Ueno is one stop away by bus or a 20-minute walk, so the two make an easy day together. More of the ward is in our Taito guide.
Don't miss in Asakusa
Start with these, then wander the side streets.
1. Senso-ji Temple
浅草寺Tokyo's oldest temple and the reason everyone comes. Arrive before 9 am for a calm main hall; the grounds stay open after dark.
Photo: Akonnchiroll (opens in a new tab), CC0 (opens in a new tab), from Wikimedia Commons
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2. Kaminarimon Gate
雷門The red lantern gate on the street side. The Nakamise stalls between here and the temple sell snacks and souvenirs.
Photo: Daderot (opens in a new tab), public domain, from Wikimedia Commons
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3. Asakusa Shrine
浅草神社Right beside the main hall and easy to miss. Home of the Sanja Matsuri in May.
Photo: Kakidai (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 3.0 (opens in a new tab), from Wikimedia Commons
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4. Hanayashiki
浅草花やしきOld-fashioned rides a few minutes west of the temple. Good if you have children with you.
Photo: Aimaimyi (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 3.0 (opens in a new tab), from Wikimedia Commons
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5. Kappabashi Kitchen Town
かっぱ橋道具街Fifteen minutes' walk west. Japanese knives, ceramics and plastic food samples to take home.
Photo: Basile Morin (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab), from Wikimedia Commons
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6. Sumida Park
隅田公園Riverside walk with views of Tokyo Skytree. Lined with cherry trees in late March.
Photo: Mnd (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 3.0 (opens in a new tab), from Wikimedia Commons
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Walk Asakusa in order
The highlights as one easy walk, about 3.7 km in all.
Stop 1
Senso-ji Temple
Start here
Stop 2
Asakusa Shrine
2 min walk
Stop 3
Hanayashiki
4 min walk
Stop 4
Kaminarimon Gate
9 min walk
Stop 5
Sumida Park
13 min walk
Stop 6
Kappabashi Kitchen Town
22 min walk
More around Asakusa
Other places within walking distance. Each shows its Japanese name for maps and taxis.
Ushijima Shrine
牛嶋神社Riverside shrine in Sumida Park with a stone cow said to ease ailments if you rub the matching spot.
Matsuchiyama Shoden (Honryu-in)
待乳山聖天Small hilltop temple a short walk north of Senso-ji, known for offerings of daikon radish.
Asakusa on the map
Every place on this page. Tap a pin for directions.
Questions
How long do I need in Asakusa?
Half a day covers Senso-ji, Nakamise and a meal. Add a couple of hours for Kappabashi or a walk along the Sumida River.
Is Senso-ji free to visit?
Yes. Entry to the temple grounds and the main hall is free.
How do I get from Asakusa to Tokyo Skytree?
Walk across Azuma Bridge and along the river in about 20 minutes, or take the Tobu Skytree Line one stop.
Sources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources.
More areas in Tokyo
- UenoTokyo's museum quarter around Ueno Park, with national museums, the zoo, temples, a lotus pond and the Ameyoko market street by the station.
- YanakaOne of the few corners of Tokyo where the old low-city atmosphere survives: temples, wooden houses, small shops and a large, leafy cemetery.
- Oshiage (Tokyo Skytree)The old downtown area at the foot of Tokyo Skytree, with its shopping complex, an aquarium and a riverside walk to Asakusa.
- RyogokuThe home of professional sumo, with the national sumo arena, training stables and chanko nabe restaurants on the east bank of the Sumida River.
- AkihabaraTokyo's Electric Town: the centre of anime, manga and game shopping, with electronics stores, arcades, maid cafes and the old Kanda Myojin shrine nearby.
- NihonbashiTokyo's old merchant quarter around the bridge where the Edo-period highways began, with Japan's first department store and long-running shops.
- MarunouchiThe business district between Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace, with the red-brick station, palace gardens and a tree-lined street of shops.
- KagurazakaA sloping street from Iidabashi with stone-paved back lanes from its geisha days, old shrines and Tokyo's biggest cluster of French bakeries and bistros.
