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Sanja Matsuri/Festival in Asakusa - Summary and report images

Sanja Matsuri/Festival in Asakusa - Summary and report

Of all the festivals in Asakusa year around, Sanja Matsuri Festival should be the most famous and the biggest one. If you have a chance, I encourage you to make a plan to see it once, referring to this and other sempai posts listed below. 1-2-3 basics;Sanja matsuri festival is held every y…(567 words)

Zara image

Zara

Asakusa Sanja Matsuri Festival Jinjya (Shrine) Japanese festivals Tokyo portable shrine omikoshi
Enjoy the cherry blossoms images

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 image

Claire

Cherry blossom Cherry Asakusa River Japanese festivals
Down Town Tokyo (aka Shitamachi) images

Down Town Tokyo (aka Shitamachi)

If you're new to Japan. You'll probably have this location mark on your travel agenda, as it is not only #true shitamachi it is also one the most popular tourists areas of Tokyo.I'm an American with over 30 years of living in Japan and my first 15 years where spent in Shitamachi. So, I recommen…(134 words)

DjMarvin image

DjMarvin

Tokyo Park Asakusa History Summer
Asakusa Culture Tourism Center images

Asakusa Culture Tourism Center

If you need more information when you are in Asakusa, visit the Asakusa Culture Tourism Center which is a few minutes by walk from Asakusa Station. It is near the Kaminari-mon (a gate with a giant lantern), one of the attractions of Asakusa. The Center provides information about Asakusa and other a…(61 words)

Rena image

Rena

Asakusa Tourism
Amusement Parks images

Amusement Parks

Tokyo Disneyland is fun and popular but if you want to have an experience of a unique retro amusement park in Tokyo, I recommend Asakusa Hanayashiki without hesitation. It is the oldest amusement park in Japan (originally opened in 1853) It is extremely small, but there is a ton of stuff packed …(55 words)

Mayu image

Mayu

Tokyo Park Asakusa Amusement park Tokyo Disneyland Hanayashiki Amusement Park
Stop by a TRAVELEX! images

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 image

RieS

Tokyo Yokohama Asakusa
Enjoy the scenery in a Jinrikisha! images

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 image

RieS

Tokyo Etiquette Asakusa Kamakura Transportation Beauty
Majestic Japanese Garden and Tea House in the Middle of Tokyo images

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 image

GenS

Garden Tokyo Tea Asakusa River Traditional
Yakatabune images

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 image

mikekato

Tokyo Yokohama Drink Beer Asakusa Osaka Sake (Rice wine) Tempura Shochu Okonomiyaki
SANJA   AND SAMBA CARNIVAL images

SANJA   AND SAMBA CARNIVAL

MAYThis is  traditional festivals (omatsuri) !AROUD ASAKUSAhttp://www.sanjasama.jp/AUG.SAMBA CARNIVAL. SAMBA IN TOKYO(asakusa)!!http://www.asakusa-samba.org/index.htmlhttp://www.mapple.net/spots/G01300250807.htm(32 words)

karnavi image

karnavi

Tokyo Asakusa
Hamarikyu Garden, Beautiful and Ancient Garden in Japan images

Hamarikyu Garden, Beautiful and Ancient Garden in Japan

My favourite park in Tokyo is Hamarikyu Garden, right by Shiodome station. I was actually just there the other day and the scenery of the tranquil lakes with Japanese style bridges and gazebos was breathtaking. Entrance is only about 250 yen for and adult and the garden is perfect for a 3-4 hours o…(145 words)

GenS image

GenS

Japan Garden Tokyo Park Tea Asakusa River Green tea Visit
Try Asakusa by Kaminarimon images

Try Asakusa by Kaminarimon

There are numerous kimono stores along the shopping avenue directly behind Kaminarimon in Asakusa. They have kimonos of varying quality available. If you're looking for a proper, traditional Kimono, expect to spend a few thousand dollars. If you're looking for something more affordable, there are o…(47 words)

KurtisW image

KurtisW

Tokyo Shopping Asakusa Kimono
Widely Available in Asakusa images

Widely Available in Asakusa

If you go to Asakusa, the stores lined up behind Kaminarimon, or Thunder Gate, often carry imitation swords you can buy as souveniers for friends or yourself. If you are more interested in acquiring an actual Katana, you will need to look up Katana makers online and expect to pay a few thousand dol…(66 words)

KurtisW image

KurtisW

Tokyo Asakusa
Fujisoba images

Fujisoba

The Fujisoba, Japanese noodle is unique. There are a lot of Fujisoba in Tokyo.Asakusa, Shinjuku, Shibuya, and so on.http://fujisoba.co.jpAnd It is served so speedy.A lot of kind of soba. Cuttlefish, Tempura, Chicken…If you used Fujisoba, you must buy ticket on the machine before ent…(54 words)

ErinoO image

ErinoO

Tokyo Shinjuku Ticket Shibuya Asakusa Soba noodles Tempura
Omatsuri in Tokyo images

Omatsuri in Tokyo

I think the one of the best festival in Tokyo is the Akasuka SANJYA MATSURI this festival is held on the 3rd week of May Friday,~sunday!! In this festival both men & women participate!!! Asakusa is the last station on the Ginza line (subway)(44 words)

Pop image

Pop

Tokyo Ginza Asakusa Subway Japanese festivals
Futuristic Boat Ride images

Futuristic Boat Ride

Ride the futuristic "Himiko" which runs from Asakusa to Odaiba Seaside Park, to Toyosu and then back to Asakusa. The boat is designed so you can get a great panoramic view and its a nice change of pace from the trains/buses/taxis.Great day trip: Visit Asakusa then take this boat to Odaiba!h…(62 words)

mkawamura image

mkawamura

Tokyo Park Asakusa Odaiba Trip
Enjoy walking around central Tokyo images

Enjoy walking around central Tokyo

I have never lived in Tokyo, but I love day trips there. I would spend a few hours walking around Omotesando and Harajuku- interesting people watching and window shopping, great dining, shady streets, very international & trendy cafeshttp://en.japantourist.jp/index/search?q=omotesandoI al…(171 words)

jjwalsh image

jjwalsh

Tokyo Yokohama Shopping Ginza Asakusa Akihabara Anime
Plastic food samples in Japan - go to Kappabashi! images

Plastic food samples in Japan - go to Kappabashi!

If you are in Tokyo, you can go to an area of town very close to Asakusa called Kappabashi. The area is known as the place to go for all kinds of tools, food equipment, etc. But what I liked most about the place was all the stores selling the fake plastic food. This is probably the place where r…(105 words)

William Nealy image

William Nealy

Tokyo Sushi Asakusa Fake food Spaghetti
It is costly, but it is worth while paying. images

It is costly, but it is worth while paying.

(Places) I know two places. One is in ASAKUSA in Tokyo and the other is in Yokohama China Town.In front of the main gate of SENSOUJI (famous temple), there are some waiting Rickshaws.In Yokohama Chaina town, near Kaseiro Restaurant located in main street (HONDOURI) is one of the placeses to ca…(152 words)

Suetsumuhana image

Suetsumuhana

Tokyo Restaurant Yokohama Asakusa Tera (Temple) Taxicab
Asakusa images

Asakusa

You can find Japanese traditional souvenir at the street in front of Temple sensou-ji. There are a lot of souvenir shops located .(22 words)

Emyuuu image

Emyuuu

Tokyo Asakusa Tera (Temple) Souvenir
A trip under bridges on Sumida River images

A trip under bridges on Sumida River

Sumida river, on eastern part of main Tokyo, is full of beautiful bridges. One can take a boat ride from traditional town of Asakusa to beautiful Hamarikyu gardens which goes under a series of beautiful bridges. Come of the so called water buses also have an open deck on the top which makes the exp…(100 words)

Sanjeev Sinha image

Sanjeev Sinha

River Trip Tokyo Asakusa
First Visit for the New Year - Hatsumode images

First Visit for the New Year - Hatsumode

Many Japanese people visit shrines and temples during the first days of the year. It is a way to start into the new year. The new year starts at midnight, so people line up already in the evening of December 31. At the big popular places like Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa or Meijijingu in Harajuku it …(161 words)

David image

David

New year Hatsumode Tokyo Asakusa Tera (Temple) Senso-ji Temple Jinjya (Shrine) festival
Asakusa's Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise Street in the Evening images

Asakusa's Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise Street in the Evening

Many tourists visit Asakusa and the Senso-ji temple during the day and it gets quiet in the evening. As one of the major tourist attractions in Tokyo, it is usually quite crowded here, but by the time the shops close in Nakamise-dori between 18:00 and 19:00 most visitors leave. At night, the temple…(194 words)

David image

David

Asakusa Senso-ji Temple Japanese style shopping arcade Tera (Temple) Evening Art painting illumination
Cherry blossoms: Sakura Time & Timing in Japan images

Cherry blossoms: Sakura Time & Timing in Japan

Sakura 桜 are all things cherry, everything cherry blossoms and cherry trees. Think of sakura as a season in Japan, the height of spring. When will the cherry blossom start to open and how long will they last? This question is essential for hanami planning and discussed in detail in the media e…(345 words)

David image

David

Spring Cherry blossom Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) Flower Asakusa Japanese Culture Japan Travel
Walk & Play at Sumida Park in Asakusa images

Walk & Play at Sumida Park in Asakusa

When you visit Asakusa, don't only go to Senso-ji temple. Also go to Sumida River and take a walk in Sumida Park. The park has great views of Tokyo Skytree and a big playground for children. There are also two small cafes here overlooking the river. To reach Sumida Park go towards the river from As…(143 words)

David image

David

Asakusa Playground Tokyo Skytree Park Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) Sumida river Tokyo Cherry blossom Children
Hanami - another way to enjoy (for the next year) images

Hanami - another way to enjoy (for the next year)

Belatedly, let me introduce another way to enjoy cherry blossoms - please take this FYI for the next year :-)Yakata-Bune is the traditionally shaped smallish boat to go up and down the river. There are a few boat operators in Tokyo and one of them is in the canal near Shinagawa station. It ha…(170 words)

KIH image

KIH

Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) Tokyo Asakusa Cherry blossom River Lunch view Cruise Yakatabune
The season of fireworks will start soooooon! images

The season of fireworks will start soooooon!

Summer is the season of fireworks. In Japan, it is an absolutely orgiastic affair. Not to be missed. To attend these fireworks, you need to prepare for extreme crowds, more or less disciplined, and to gear up with: drinks (if possible alcoholic one if you are more than 20 years old), a yukata (…(162 words)

Claire image

Claire

Fireworks Tokyo Summer Asakusa Kamakura
Asakusa area has a lot of great sightseeing spots images

Asakusa area has a lot of great sightseeing spots

Asakusa area has a lot of great sightseeing spots and you can ride on a “jinrikisha” (rickshaw) to travel around popular historical spots, enjoying interesting explanations given by jinrikishaman. You can select a tour time from a couple of options such as 30 minutes and 60 minutes. We had one arou…(110 words)

Daijo image

Daijo

Asakusa Communication jinrikisha
Tsukemen - ramen noodles dipped in rich sauce images

Tsukemen - ramen noodles dipped in rich sauce

Shops making tasty ramen noodles are everywhere in Japan. Get off the train at just about any station and chances are that you will find a ramen shop nearby. Many ramen shops offer ramen (noodles served in a bowl of soup) and tsukemen (noodles and soup served separately) and some shops actually spe…(262 words)

David image

David

Tsukemen Ramen noodles Asakusa
Fresh Handmade Udon and Soba Noodles images

Fresh Handmade Udon and Soba Noodles

The best udon and best soba is from restaurants that make their noodles fresh. This is a sign of a tasty shop, so the noodles will often be prepared near the entrance where you can see them. Watch the dough being rolled out and cut, it is fun.To find the restaurants serving the tastiest food, a…(243 words)

David image

David

Soba noodles Udon noodles Restaurant Tempura Food Shop Asakusa
Local Secret: Kappabashi images

Local Secret: Kappabashi

A 15 minute walk down 'Butsudan Road' (where all the Buddhist altar companies have their showrooms) from Ueno station lies Kappabashi, a street full of restaurant goods. These range from awesome crockery to individual taiyaki (fish-shaped cake) forms, and of course the amazing plastic food you…(167 words)

Chiara image

Chiara

local secret Building Asakusa Coffee Ueno Rice cracker Souvenir
Nakamise, the main street of Asakusa between Kaminarimon and Hozomon images

Nakamise, the main street of Asakusa between Kaminarimon and Hozomon

There are about 90 shops here in Nakamise. You can find Japanese traditional crafts, Kimonos, Japanese dolls, Ukiyoe, tenugui (Japanese towels) and chopsticks as well as Ningyoyaki (sponge cake), Osenbei (rice crackers), Japanese sweets and shaved ice. At Funawa, cold Matcha drink and sweet potato …(144 words)

Keiko, OTT image

Keiko, OTT

Asakusa Drink Shopping Sweets Rice cracker Shop good luck Ukiyoe chopsticks Souvenir
Places to feel like locals in Asakusa images

Places to feel like locals in Asakusa

Do you know the third oldest underground passage in Japan is at Asakusa Station? The street is connected to a ticket gate of Ginza Line and the entrance of Shin-Nakamise Street. Most of the tenants are restaurants such as Sushi, Soba, Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai foods. You also find a fortune-tell…(157 words)

Keiko, OTT image

Keiko, OTT

Asakusa Hoppy Underground shopping arcade Restaurant Sushi Building Visit Soba noodles Bar
Enjoy to watch making something on the streets in Asakusa images

Enjoy to watch making something on the streets in Asakusa

In Asakusa, there are many shops where you can see the procedure to making something. Iriyama Senbei is located at Sushiya Street, while Ichiban Hanaya is located at Shin-Nakamise Street.There are many Ningyoyaki shops along Nakamise Street. Japanese tend to prefer the hand-made Ningyoyaki and of c…(95 words)

Keiko, OTT image

Keiko, OTT

Asakusa Rice cracker Shop Cake Fish Taiyaki (Fish-shaped cake) Ningyo-yaki
Enjoy Autumn in Asakusa images

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 image

Keiko, OTT

Asakusa Restaurant Event Visit Food Tempura Ueno Eat dance Lantern
Street Performers, Arts & Entertainment in Asakusa - Local Tokyo images

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 image

David

Asakusa Art Japanese style shopping arcade Tokyo Walk Senso-ji Temple Theater
Kaisendon - Sashimi Pub Lunch at a Seafood Izakaya images

Kaisendon - Sashimi Pub Lunch at a Seafood Izakaya

How is your sushi vocabulary and experience? If you have tried a few sets of sushi and sashimi, try kaisendon. Kaisendon is sashimi on rice. Don 丼 is short for donburi, food served on top of a bowl full of rice. Magurodon for example is tuna on rice, kaisendon is mixed seafood on rice. It coul…(283 words)

David image

David

Izakaya Sashimi (Raw fish) Lunch Fish Sushi Seafood Tokyo Asakusa
Torinoichi (or Otorisama) images

Torinoichi (or Otorisama)

Torinoichi is held at Ohtori Shrine and Chokokuji Temple, next to each other. This year (2014), the event is on November 10 and 22. As people buy a little bigger Kumade, called Kakkome, every year, the Kumade is going to be huge. It is interesting that this festival starts at midnight (0:00) and en…(98 words)

Keiko, OTT image

Keiko, OTT

year-end Tokyo Event Tera (Temple) Jinjya (Shrine) festival Horse Decorated Asakusa
Hakata Ippudo Ramen in Asakusa images

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 image

David

Asakusa Ramen noodles Chinese dumpling Tokyo
How to enjoy Matsuri in Shitamachi images

How to enjoy Matsuri in Shitamachi

May is the most comfortable month in Japan. Sun shines, flowers bloom and wind blows softly. However, in Shitamachi, May is the season of Matsuri, the summer festivals of Shrines.Usually, the main events including Miya-Mikoshi is on Sunday. In the early morning Mikoshi is started from a shrine …(241 words)

Keiko, OTT image

Keiko, OTT

Japanese festivals Tokyo Summer Food Asakusa Jinjya (Shrine) Ueno Yakitori yatai kanda