Asakusa

Asakusa

Asakusa (浅草) is the part of Tokyo famous for the Sensoji temple. It lies at the Eastern end of the Ginza subway line.

Many tourists, both Japanese and from abroad, visit the Sensoji temple every year. The area still has many traditional shops and eating places that feature traditional dishes (hand-made noodles, sushi, tenpura, etc.). The walkway leading from the subway exit to the temple itself is lined with small shops selling touristy things ranging from fans, kimono-type robes, buddhist scrolls, traditional sweets, to Godzilla toys, t-shirts, and cell-phone trinkets.

The area also has a small carnival-type complex with rides, booths, and games. The neighborhood theatre specializes in showing classic Japanese films, as many of the tourists are elderly Japanese.

Cruises down the Sumidagawa river depart from a wharf only 5-minute walk from the temple.