Secret Hints and Tips on Japan's Amazing Asakusa Area
Everything you'll need to start or round out your visit to Tokyo is found in Asakusa. Your Deep Japan Senpai Asakusa experts offer insight on how to see Asakusa and experience its rich history from a residents' point of view.
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Places to feel like locals in Asakusa
Ramen come in several flavours, depending on the broth cooked by the shop master. The broth is mixed to make shoyu or miso taste. Whatever taste ramen you order, most of them will have chashu slices as a topping. If you like it, you can order extra chashu.
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Asakusa's Secret Kabuki Gallery - Shotengai Streets
Asakusa has many small shopping streets with old-fashioned cafes and restaurants. Okuyama Omairimachi Shotengai is one of these streets, but it is special. The shutters of the shops here are painted with famous scenes from Kabuki plays.This gallery only reveals itself when shops are closed. Asakusa has several Japanese theatres that show classical dance-drama Kabuki （歌舞伎）, lighter Taishu Engeki plays （大衆演劇）, Rakugo storytelling （落語）, or Manzai stand-up comedy （漫才）.
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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 course these are good, but it is very fun to see that a big machine is producing Ningyoyaki continuously. You can eat a hot one.
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Senso-ji Temple's Secret Japanese Garden in Asakusa
Before you enter the garden, you can see a small but impressive exhibition of temple treasures. Senso-ji's golden dragon from the dragon dance is on display. Other exhibits include massive wooden panels depicting historical scenes and legends that were part of the buildings. Some still have hinges on the thick frames. Sorry, no pictures were allowed inside. The garden itself is surprisingly big. In the middle is a pond with koi carp. You can walk around it following a narrow path with stepping stones. Cherry blossoms and many other cute spring flowers are out now.
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Kimono Experience in Asakusa
Yukata is made of cotton, the Kimono for summer. Most of Ryokan (Japanese hotels) prepare Yukata in each room as a sleepwear, but you can got out with Yukata in Summer. There are many shops you can rent Kimono for few hours. Take a walk wearing Kimono around Asakusa. When you come to Asakusa, check it out in advance.
