Advice about Asakusa
Advanced Search
Enjoy Autumn in Asakusa
Asakusa Touroue is held from September 13 through 27. Many Tourou (lanterns) light up the alleys in Sensoji. Visit at night. You can see a dance by Geisha at Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center on Saturdays (see below). The tickets will be available at the Center from 10:00 each day on a fir…(161 words)
Keiko, OTT
Street Performers, Arts & Entertainment in Asakusa - Local Tokyo
Senso-ji temple is the most famous spot in Tokyo's Asakusa district, but there is more to see. Performers and performing arts are also part of Asakusa’s heritage. So when you come to Senso-ji and look at the temple’s buildings, statues, and big gates don’t stop there. Please take a walk around …(623 words)
David
Hakata Ippudo Ramen in Asakusa
Asakusa is known for the sweets and senbei sold near Senso-ji temple, but there are also quite a few ramen shops in this area. There must be at least 20. The newest one is Hakata Ippudo Ramen's new Asakusa store. It just opened this March in the new ROX 3G building near the TX Asakusa station.I…(278 words)
David
SKY HOP BUS
SKY HOP BUS is a sightseeing bus you can freely hop on and hop off as much as you want within the validity period of your ticket. The ticket is available in 1 Day or 2 Day Pass. There are three tour routes; Asakusa-TOKYO SKYTREE course, Odaiba course, and Roppongi-Tokyo Tower course. You can hop on…(202 words)
OH
July Events in Asakusa and Ueno
Asagao means Morning Glory. Iriya Asagao Ichi is held at and around Iriya Kishimojin Temple. This event is held on 6, 7 and 8 July every year. This year, the street (Kototoi Dori) will be closed from 17:00 to 21:30 on these days. Time and Place:6, 7 and 8 July at Iriya Kishimojinone minut…(222 words)
Keiko, OTT
September Events around Asakusa
Donburi Grand Prix will be held during this event. Eat and vote your favorite Donburi. In Japan, we have various Donburi, such as Gyudon (Beef rice bowl), Kaisendon (Seafood rice bowl) or Tendon (Tempura rice bowl). This year, 78 restaurants joined this event and compete to win the prize for best D…(131 words)
Keiko, OTT
More important words than fortune. Words needed in the tavern
If you come to Tokyo, do you want to enter the tavern, “I-ZAKA-YA”？Only beer and sake.Table is also small.There is what you need to go to the I-ZAKA-YA of Japan.It is the word "TORI-AEZU- BI-I-RU!" and "O-KAI-K!".If you do not use these two words,You also not be eat cuisine foreve…(143 words)
asteka
Salt is Sacred in Japan; You will see it often
Have you noticed a little mound of salt at the entrance of a restaurant during your visits to Japan?Salt was always a very important part of the Japanese diet and the ancient salt fields you see across Japan will attest to its importance in keeping Japanese people strong and healthy. Salt from …(277 words)
5@example.com
Fierce Protectors of Temples - Nio Statues 仁王
When I come to a temple in Japan, I always stop to take a look at the Nio statues standing guard at the gates. Nio 仁王 means Benevolent Kings. These are fierce-looking protectors, looking like demons or warrior-gods. Sometimes they are life-size and sometimes they are impossibly tall and stron…(193 words)
David
Agemanju - Sweet Deep-fried Cakes in Asakusa
There are many good reasons for a visit to Asakusa: Senso-ji temple’s gates and pagoda, tiny Hanayashiki amusement park, Japanese kabuki theaters, old restaurants, and shops selling kimonos and festival clothing. And then there is the area around the temple’s Nakamise street where you can buy souve…(253 words)
David
Street Photography in Japan
Almost everyone enjoys taking photographs. In Japan, I would venture to say that EVERYONE enjoys taking photographs! Whether it be the camera embedded in modern smartphones or high end digital SLRs, cameras have become an integral part of our lives. And so has photography. My dad was an avid photog…(1485 words)
Ani
Omikuji - Take Only Good Luck With You
Omikuji - おみくじ - are fortune papers from temples and shrines that offer advice for your health, career, and good luck in general. There are positive ones - marked kichi 吉 - and negative ones - marked kyou 凶. The most positive one is the daikichi 大吉, the big fortune.You can find omikuji …(310 words)
David
Craze for Friendly and Cute Rabbits
T he rabbit is a popular animal in Japan. Many rabbits show up in Japanese fairy tales and children’s stories. Wild rabbits can’t be seen in the center of large cities, but most pet shops have rabbits. In order to get closer to them, some people go to rabbit cafes or visit an island that is home to…(497 words)
HiraganaTimes
Kamata: The Most Beautiful Knives in Tokyo
Kappabashi, Tokyo's kitchenware wholesaler's district, is a treasure trove of gorgeous ceramics, unusual spices, pots and pans of all sizes and, of course, Japan's world-class knives.No place glitters more than Kamata Hakensha, a bustling shop where every surface is covered with perfect, sharp …(303 words)
Chiara
Tenugui - Printed Textiles with Japanese Patterns
Tenugui are small pieces of cloth for everyday use. They make perfect gifts and souvenirs. Now many Japanese carry small towels in their bags, but before the more fluffy towels became popular tenugui was widely used.A tenugui is a thin piece of cloth made from cotton. It dries very quickly, is …(334 words)
David
Yozakura - cherry blossoms at night
Sakura （桜） is Japanese for cherry blossom. Yozakura （夜桜） is written with the characters for night and sakura and means viewing cherry blossoms at night. Sakura looks beautiful in the evening with the right lighting. Try both, a cherry blossom picnic during the day and an evening visit to fully e…(335 words)
David
Experience Your Own “Japanese Style Wedding” in Tokyo!
What’s the most romantic place in the world? Paris? Hawaii? Rome? Those may be some of the obvious contenders, but there seems to be an increasing number of people who would name Tokyo as the most romantic travel destination.This idea of Tokyo as a modern day romance capital, combined with the …(238 words)
Japanista
Kissaten: Lovely Retro Coffee Shops
Kissaten 喫茶店 is one of the words that appear in the early chapters of Japanese text books. Kissaten are coffee shops, but not of the chain variety. Most of these coffee shops are delightfully retro, unique, and atmospheric. A kissaten is the perfect place for taking a break from everyday busy ti…(298 words)
David
Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto and Local Inari Shrines
The famous Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine in Kyoto really is a fantastic place to visit. There are the colorful main buildings to see and even more impressive is the walk through the shrine's land. In the case of Fushimi Inari, this means taking a long walk up and around the hill that belongs to the s…(316 words)
David
Best Tourist Souvenir-- Samurai Umbrella!
Purchasing a real samurai sword in Japan is very difficult, especially after they enforced the laws against the possession of knives a couple years ago. I also assume that taking a samurai sword out of Japan will definitely be a hassle at the airport. A better option might be purchasing the samurai…(112 words)
GenS
Japanese vaudeville
If you want to experience Japanese traditional theater but Kabuki and Noh are too esoteric for you, try the vaudeville.You will have the experience of kimono, geisha and all the samurai-ism you crave for and on top of that you will get much much more:- an autograph by the artists before the p…(380 words)
Claire
Yamanote Area
If you come to Tokyo to do some sightseeing, you will most definitely be riding the yamanote train line, which loops around downtown Tokyo, stopping at all the most key entry points.The "Yamanote" area historically has been considered very upper class Tokyo, while Asakusa, Ueno, and those areas…(124 words)
KurtisW
Why Men Look Handsome in Kimonos in Japan?
I've noticed more men wearing Kimono on weekends recently. The obi belt tied just above the hips, masculine shoulders emphasized by a narrower line going down the body, a deep blue color. Try walking in back of one of these gents. Watch the way the geta sandals click on the stone walkway and how th…(251 words)
5@example.com
Running Long Distance in Tokyo Summer
Summer weather in Japan can challenge runners with staying hydrated. If you run for distance and have signed up for a race in the fall, then you need to train through the hot summer months, while still logging long kilometers. In August, the weather can get up to mid-30s with a great deal of humidi…(651 words)
Sweet42.195
What Japan is proud of - Craftsmanship! : Japanese Watches
I had an opportunity to visit the Museum and as a SEIKO watch fan, had a very good time there. Here is the highlights of the Exhibit for those who cannot make it here. Those who visit Tokyo and have time, I highly recommend to visit this place. Note also that it is close to other popular tourist…(188 words)
KIH
Fuji Ramen - Fresh Noodles in Tonkotsu Soup
Fuji Ramen in Asakusa serves tasty ramen in tsukemen with tonkotsu base soup and noodles made fresh at the shop.This shop is special because it makes its own noodles. You can see the small workshop near the entrance. The noodles are straight, medium thick and very good both as ramen or tsukemen…(255 words)
David
My favorite trips to the old towns in JAPAN
SugitoTtown（杉戸町）, which located in Saitama Prefecture is one of the post-station towns developed along the Nikko Highway（日光街道） in Edo period.The Highway starts from Nihombashi（日本橋） in Tokyo and reach Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture.This town is one of the 21 post towns along the Hig…(566 words)
Erika1228
Everything about Trains between Yokohama and Tokyo
Born and raised in Yokohama, I know a lot about trains running between Yokohama and Tokyo. Here is a list of each of the trains with shorts explanations.JR1. The Tokaido LineThe Tokaido line is the fastest way to get from Yokohama to Tokyo. Between Yokohama station and Shinagawa station, it…(425 words)
GenS
Asakusa is good place to buy Japanese things from Tokyo
Asakusa is well known place for the tourist. It is fun to go shopping and eating in Asakusa as well.There are many shops in Asakusa and lots of shops sells Edokomono.Edokomono means Tokyo traditional small peace of hand crafts.My favorite shop is "sukeroku助六" in Nakamise Street( when you g…(85 words)
yukorose
Not Quiet Temples and Shrines
Some Japanese temples are beautifully quiet places with peaceful gardens. Before I came to Japan I mistakenly imagined all temples and shrines would be like that. I was thinking of ponds with koi carp and turtles, perfectly maintained leaf-free stone gardens, and areas sculpted with moss and plants…(255 words)
David
Kappabashi Tool Street, best place to find kitchen tools
Kappabashi Tool Street is about 800m long located in 10 minutes walking distance from Asakusa and has more than 150 stores relating to kitchen or restaurant. These are sample foods made of wax, which you can find in a show-window at the restaurants in Asakusa.There are many specialty stores for kit…(79 words)
Keiko, OTT
Leave the tourists behind in Asagaya
Most tourists to Tokyo hit the high spots of Asakusa, Ginza, Tokyo Tower, and see the Imperial Palace grounds.If you want to leave the tourist spots behind and get a taste of the real Tokyo though head for Asagaya in Suginami Ward on the northwest side of the city. Asagaya Station can be reache…(417 words)
Joe Peters
Tokyo Izakaya for Sashimi and Seafood
Izakaya are Japanese style pubs, great places to meet and have drinks. Many izakaya also serve excellent food. Try having a few drinks while you sample some popular izakaya foods. If you like fish and seafood, you should try one of the Isomaru Suisan 磯丸水産 izakaya. Isomaru is a seafood speci…(287 words)
David
Japan's Sengakuji and the 47 Famous Samurai (Part 4)
One figure stands out among the line of Samurai statues standing quietly behind protective glass in the Sengakuji Temple Museum. It was chilly in the stark room but the items behind the glass caught my heart and instilled a warmth of pride even though I am not Japanese and I don't really know the f…(995 words)
5@example.com
Enjoy the cherry blossoms
Every spring, it is the same thing: everyone are getting very (positively) anxious and are looking forward to enjoying the cherry blossoms.Spring is there. 8 blossoms on a tree, and it's done. Cherry blossom season is launched. Time to prepare your picnic and enjoy it under the trees, if you f…(169 words)
Claire
Hakuhinkan ginza shop, vstone robot shop are good places to collect souvenirs for kids
Hakuhinkan Ginza - http://www.hakuhinkan.co.jp/guide_en.html is a place to visit for sure. Here you can find lots of toys, puzzles, gadgets from Japan that will surely be liked by kids from any country. Its an awesome place. Vstone - kids robots building place - http://www.vstone.co.jp/english/…(121 words)
suku
Stop by a TRAVELEX!
There are many Travelex stalls in Japan, usually at famous sightseeing areas or major stations. For example, near Kaminari-mon in Asakusa, one of the famous sightseeing spots in Tokyo, there is a small Travelex stall. There is also another one in Yokohama station. Look out for a blue and red sign!(51 words)
RieS
Enjoy the scenery in a Jinrikisha!
An interesting type of transportation is "Jinrikisha," which is a wooden carriage with two wheels pulled by a person. I have see nthese in areas such as Asakusa and Kamakura. This is one of the oldest forms of transportation in Japan and is a great way for tourists to get to know the area. From the…(110 words)
RieS
Majestic Japanese Garden and Tea House in the Middle of Tokyo
Although you will not be able to participate in a formal Japanese tea ceremony at Hamarikyu garden, you will be able to relax in a Japanese style gazebo, in the middle of a historical garden where the Shogun used to indulge in his falconry hobby, with a freshly made cup of Japanese tea in your hand…(186 words)
GenS
Yakatabune
Yakatabune are, literally "night ships," which are floating party boats. The vast majority are rented out to groups. Some, however, are open for individuals, couples, and small groups. Traditionally, yakatabune serve tempura as the main course. In Tokyo, one of the highlights has been anago…(173 words)
mikekato