Asakusa is hands down one of my favorite parts of Tokyo. It has a great mix of tourist attractions and hidden gems. And its signature mix of old and new draws people in like a magnet.
Situated in north-east Tokyo, Asakusa is a wildly popular area in Taito ward. It encompasses well-known areas like Sumida river where you can catch a boat or shop for dishes at Kappabashi Kitchen Town.
You can even get your fortune at Sensōji Kannon Temple and see its impressive Kaminarimon gate.
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My friends and I lived remarkably close to this bustling ward during our study-abroad. Though it’s a busy area, I fell in love with Asakusa’s vibe and atmosphere.
Its lively streets and Mega Don Quijote were only about a 15 minute walk away from our dorm, making it a big part of our life abroad.
Plus, Asakusa boasts many wonderful coffee shops and tons of shopping. A walk down Nakamise street or through the Solamachi Skytree Town Mall will easily fill your quota for souvenirs.
Best of all, you can do basically of these things in both the Summer and Winter. Though if you’re unsure what to wear in those months, check out my Quintessential Japan Packing List for tips!
Best 10 Things to do in Asakusa
Whether you’re getting ramen at Ichiran, boba tea at Gongcha, or a quick breakfast at Mister Donut, Asakusa is the place to be.
I feel privileged to have lived in such close proximity to Tokyo Skytree and bask in its glimmering lights on the Sumida River any time of year.
The cherry blossoms along the Sumida River in Spring are gorgeous, while illuminations give it added sparkle in Winter.
Its Orange street runs parallel to Nakamise street, both of which contain many modern and traditional shops.
And while it of course has its tourist traps, you can find wonderful spots in Asakusa to enjoy with your friends and family with my Best 10 Things To Do in Asakusa guide!
1. Kaminarimon at Sensōji
Since it’s such a cultural hotspot, Sensōji Temple is of one of the main draws of Asakusa. Its grand Kaminarimon (雷門), aka Lightning Gate, is a sight to behold.
Sensōji is the oldest temple in Tokyo, and houses the Mercy Kannon.
People go to pray for “relief from suffering”. So they cover themselves in the smoke wafting at the center of the temple grounds.
For example, if you need to study hard for a test, you waft the healing smoke onto your head for good grades.
Plus, getting your fortune is as easy as paying ¥100 and shaking the lottery aka “omikuji” stick from its container.
Not to mention getting swept up among the other visitors feels like a spiritual experience in and of itself– if you’re into that.
The Sensōji and Nakamise area is always packed with people during the day. Nakamise street is lined with shops where you can buy souvenirs and treats like tanghulu, ningyoyaki, and Cremia ice cream.
We even visited Sensoji for our first shrine visit (初詣 hatsumode) in 2018. It was packed to the brim with people, but that was part of the fun.
But my real advice is to check it out at night time for a more private, calming temple visit.
2. Asakusa Skytree
While you can of course visit the Asakusa Visitor Center to get a top-down view of the town, nothing beats Asakusa Skytree.
If you’ve never been there, it’s a viewing deck 360˚ view of Tokyo. At its tallest, it’s 634 floors. However visitors can go up to its 450th at the most. Most will be satisfied with its 350th floor Temba deck though.
Though it does cost around ¥2500-¥3500 per ticket, it’s a really well-made viewing deck with a fantastic view.
They offer professional photographs against the Tokyo backdrop, and feature a see-through floor to freak your friends and family out with!
Then at night, it lights up with gorgeous colors. It’s an iconic tower that you can see from all around Tokyo. It always made me feel at home, knowing that if we could see it, we’d find our way back to our dorm.
And don’t forget Solamachi Skytree Town, which is a huge mall full of fun stuff.
It has a Pokémon center, stationery shops, and all manner of snacks and food to enjoy. Sometimes they even have special events like American BBQ and Oktoberfest out on the terrace.
3. Mokuhankan
Mokuhankan is a unique woodblock print shop. It features both heritage prints and originals by the owner, David Bull, and his team.
We stumbled upon this shop while on the way to Sensōji. My husband had actually seen it in the textbook they use at his school.
As a printmaker/artist myself, I was entranced by this meticulously curated print shop.
We of course got a couple prints as gifts there, and the staff were great to talk to.
4. Kappabashi
My favorite kitchen goods shops are in Kappabashi. Its namesake is the Kappa (河童), which are sort of like water demons.
This stretch of road connects Ueno and Asakusa, and contains many professional and hobbyist kitchen wares.
I especially love the lifestyle shop Fuwari. They sell many things from tea cups to wooden utensils. I also enjoy the chopsticks shop where you can have your chopsticks personalized.
From pots and pans to taiyaki presses, ceramics and coffee paraphernalia, this street has everything you could possibly want to deck out your kitchen and dining room.
5. Lucent Coffee
Asakusa and nearby Kuramae boast some fantastic coffee shops.
Lucent Coffee is a compact little coffee shop that has a light atmosphere and friendly staff. I was introduced to this particular shop by my good friend who’s a coffee connoisseur and barista himself.
Lucent’s coffee is light and fruity, and they make a mean latte. You can also order with alternative milks like soy and oat.
They sell their beans both in store and online. And they specialize in using light roast beans according to their website.
Just be aware that most local cafes in Japan don’t open until at least 8 am. Some don’t open until 10 or 11 am!
Luckily Lucent is one of the early ones. But if you have to get an even earlier coffee fix, you might need to check out a chain coffee shop.
6. Tennen Taiyaki
Taiyaki is a fish-shaped pastry usually filled with red beans or custard. Some shops also use chocolate or sweet potato.
You may even come accross ice cream or matcha-filled taiyaki and other seasonal types.
One of my favorite taiyaki shops is Tennen Taiyaki nestled in the shopping district around Sensoji, not far from the Mega Don Quijote.
They’re always cooking it fresh, and the price is right– about ¥300 for one.
Fresh off the press, it makes a great warm treat in the winter, but taiyaki goes hard even in the summer months.
7. Ichiran Ramen
Ichiran is a cult classic ramen shop. It’s a chain with many locations, but we frequented the Asakusa location most often.
You enter through a door, and descend a stairway into the restaurant. There’s often a line, but ordering is simple.
They utilize ticket machines (券売機 kenbaiki), where you purchase your ramen, add-ons, drinks, etc. I always go for an extra serving of garlic with mine. Last we went, a bowl costed around ¥900. Once you’re seated, you can choose from several ramen options using a paper the staff give you.
This typically includes your noodle firmness, spice level, choice of white or green spring onions, and more. This place is so good, it honestly deserves its own blog post.
And though you can enjoy other ramen like Afuri’s vegan options, Ramen Yamaguchi’s chicken broth ramen, or even other kinds of noodles like aburasoba, I always default to Ichiran.
8. Sumida River
Sumida River (隅田川) cuts through the Tokyo metropolitan area, and flows into the Tokyo Bay.
It’s easy to pass over or by when you’re traveling around Asakusa. But if you can walk the path along it during Sakura season or during Taito’s Summer Fireworks Festival (hanabi taikai) in July, it’s absolutely gorgeous.
Not to mention, the atmosphere completely changes at night. The illumination from Skytree and the city lights create a mesmerizing light show on the water.
It’s lovely to watch while walking or chatting with friends.
9. Asahi Beer Tower
Of the landmarks in Asakusa, the Asahi Beer Hall makes an impact.
Golden windows reflect/gleam in the sunlight, and the top parapet gives the impression of beer foam.
You can grab a beer and meal at the restaurants inside, or just enjoy the view.
Underneath and to its right is the Asahi “Flamme d’Or”, which most people just call the “golden turd”. Lol.
10. Asakusa Underground Street
If you haven’t had your fill of souvenirs or forgot to get something for your coworkers, head down to Asakusa’s underground shopping street.
Located below ground in Asakusa Station, this shopping strip is packed with sweets vendors.
It’s a great hidden area to check out as you roam Asakusa with friends or family.
Thoughts
Asakusa is truly my favorite area in Tokyo. There are so many things to do there, and it’s an incredibly lively part of town.
However there are many quiet, hidden spots you can also find while enjoying the balance of old and new.
All in all, there are innumerable places to check out in Asakusa. No matter where you go, you’re sure to find interesting places and cozy hangouts.
If you need to know what to do in other parts of Tokyo, check out my 7 Must-Go Places in Ginza post!