Asakusa - Stepping Into A Different Time Zone

Asakusa Japan, Tokyo's former Red light and Geisha district, is a must Tour.

Ancient Japanese culture comes to life in this area.

Asakusa Japan has a very Traditional feeling to it. In Tokyo very few buildings are older than 50 years because of earthquakes and bombings. Most of them are here - in Asakusa.

So the atmosphere is all about Japan pre-war.

You'll see traditional shops, and small-scale apartment buildings. The feeling is of what the city looked like 60-70 years ago.

If You've come to Tokyo for 2-3 days and you're in a bit of a rush, still, don't neglect this area.

In that case, an Asakusa Tour can help you make the most of your short Trip.

For many centuries, this area used to be a center of entertainment in Japan.

During the Edo Period, when the quarter was located outside the city, it was the site of the red light district, Geisha and kabuki theater.

The area, including Kannon Temple was completely destroyed by fire caused by the 1923 Tokyo earthquake.

In the thirties the area came alive.

Later during World War bombings large parts of the quarter were destroyed again.

Today it is one of the main geisha districts in Tokyo, and there are also many new Asakusa Hotels.

If You Want To Explore Asakusa yourself

The characters written in the lantern say Kaminari-mon. Kaminari means thunder, and mon means gate.
The original gate was destroyed in the air raids of 1945, so this is a reconstruction built in 1960.

Just opposite the gate is the Tourist Information Centre With plenty of free English maps to give away, it's opennig hours are 10:00am to 5:00pm daily. Once through the gate you'll be in Nakamise Shopping Arcade.

Nakamise Street - A pedestrian street leading to Senso-ji Temple from the Kaminari-mon gate. The street is lined with shops selling souvenirs and traditional Japanese food.

Hanzomon Gate marks the end of the street.

As you get near the temple look out for the incense burners. The Incense is considered to purify the body.

There is also a large wooden fortune telling stand. The custom is to tie the paper to a tree or a special stand, it will apparently blow away the bad luck.

Sensoji Temple dates back to 645, but with the original destroyed in the air raids 1945, today's building is a reconstruction. At the top of the steps its a ritual to clap your hands twice and bow your head. It's also a custom to make a gift to the gods by throwing coins into the wooden box.

Asakusa Shrine is the only temple that survived the war. The shrine's festival, the Sanja Matsuri is the largest and most popular in Tokyo.

Shin-Nakamise Shopping Street is a covered shopping arcade lined by shops and restaurants.

Kappabashi Shopping Street has domestic kitchenware stores. Here you can buy the plastic models of traditional Japanese foods that Tokyo restaurants put in their windows.

Sumida River Cruise sightseeing ships operate every 30 to 60 minutes from the wharf - only five minute walk from the temple. They go through Hama-Rikyu Japanese Garden to Hinode Pier, where you can transfer to a ship to Odaiba.


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