Asakusa

Stay

Asakusa is in the older part of Tokyo and one of the few areas that still looks much like it has for decades, having escaped much of the modernization that the rest of Tokyo has undergone.

Asakusa almost feels like being in Kyoto with its low-rise buildings, ancient temples, shrines, and rickshaws.

This is a great area to stay in, with some excellent value mid-range hotels.

Tokyo Sky Tree

The exception to Asakusa’s old town vibe is the addition of Tokyo’s tallest building, the Tokyo Sky Tree. Since most of Asakusa consists of low-lying residential buildings, the Tokyo Sky Tree sticks out and looks like it was dropped here by aliens.

Tokyo Sky Tree opened in May 2012 and was, at the time, the world´s tallest free-standing communication tower. It is an impressive sight, with its steel construction rising 634 meters toward the sky.

You can take the elevator to two observation decks, one at 350 m and one at 450 m. The view from even the lowest deck is fantastic, and on a clear day, you can even see Mt. Fuji.

Senso-ji Temple

In the heart of Asakusa, you find one of Tokyo’s biggest tourist attractions – the Senso-ji Temple, dating back 1400 years. This makes it Tokyo’s oldest and most visited temple. This Buddhist temple is beautiful from the moment you enter, the stunning bright red Kaminari-mon.

After walking through the gate, you enter the shopping street of the temple, Nakamise Street. The perfect place to shop for souvenirs and gifts to bring back home, like chopsticks, ramen bowls, and bamboo kitchenware. I bought some beautiful silk kimonos/robes here for Christmas presents for my friends back home.

In front of the temple, there is an enormous incense cauldron. The smoke from which is believed to give you good health.

On your left-hand side, you see the 55-meter-high Five-storey Pagoda, a reconstruction from 1873 of a pagoda built by Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shōgun of the Tokugawa dynasty. The pagoda is beautiful, especially after dark when it is lit up.

Sumo Wrestling

The Ryogoku neighborhood of Asakusa is home to the National Sumo Stadium Ryogoku Kokugikan. You can often see big, chubby wrestlers waddling around in Asakusa, especially around Ryogoku Kokugikan Station.

Things To See And Do In Asakusa

• Hanayashiki Theme Park
  Asakusa Hanayashiki Theme Park is considered the oldest amusement park in Japan (it opened in 1853, at the end of the Edo period). Here, you can have some fun on different rollercoasters, a haunted house, duck boats, and activity parks.
• Asakusa-jinja Shrine
  This shrine, painted in a dark shade of red, dates back to 1649 and is an excellent example of an early-Edo architectural style. It was built in honor of the two brothers who discovered the Kannon statue, which led to the construction of the Senso-ji Temple.
• Edo-Tokyo Museum
  Exhibitions in the Edo-Tokyo Museum document Tokyo`s major transition from Edo to modern times, with many interesting facts. It is an excellent museum with impressive replicas and examples of Edo-era infrastructure.
• Fuglen
  Fuglen is our favorite cafe in Asakusa. Their specialty is Norwegian Waffles (!), which is served as a breakfast platter with different kinds of eggs or sweets like jam. Being Norwegian, we love it, but so do the Japanese!
• Sumida Park
  This park is ideal for cherry blossoms. You can get a magnificent view of cherry trees in a line stretching over one kilometer. In summer, the Sumida River Fireworks Festival is held in this park.
• Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo (MOT)
  The Museum of Contemporary Art shows post-WWII Japanese Art
• Taiko Drum Museum
  At the Taiko Drum Museum, you will find hundreds of drums and several traditional Japanese taikos. And you can even play on some of them.

Where To Stay In Asakusa

The old neighborhood of Asakusa is home to most of Tokyo’s few remaining Ryokans, traditional Japanese Inns. Spending a night in one is a must-try experience when in Japan.

KAIKA TOKYO by THE SHARE HOTELS
The Kaika Tokyo building was once an old warehouse but has been completely transformed into a cool, industrial-chic hotel and contemporary art gallery. It’s located in a quiet residential area in Asakusa yet within easy walking distance of the main sights and metro station (10 minutes to Asakusa Station.)

The unique mix of a contemporary art community center and hotel is apparent from the moment you step through the doors. Nine unique storage units used by local artists function as mini art galleries for you to explore. The hotel’s small and chic restaurant, Safn, serves coffee and some tasty smaller dishes in the lobby.

The Gate Hotel Asakusa Kaminarimon by Hulic
The 4-star Gate Hotel Asakusa has a great location. It’s a quick two-minute walk from the Asakusa subway station, making it easy to explore the city. The Senso-ji Temple is also within easy walking distance. The hotel has a lovely open-air terrace and bar on the rooftop with a great view of the city and the Tokyo Skytree.

The rooms are clean, modern, well-equipped, and reasonably spacious by Japanese standards. Breakfast is excellent, and the view from the restaurant on the 13th floor is fantastic. There is a supermarket downstairs.

The b Asakusa
Our room (Superior Twin Room—Non-Smoking) was modern, fresh, and fairly spacious by Tokyo standards—21 sqm. If you want more space, opt for a twin room like ours (the double rooms are smaller, 17 sqm). The b Asakusa has an excellent location, just a few hundred meters from the famous Senso-ji Temple. With no less than three metro and train stations within easy walking distance, this is about as central as it gets in Asakusa.

All rooms have a private bathroom with a rain shower, free Wi-Fi, a minibar, air conditioning, and a flat-screen TV. The staff is very helpful and speaks excellent English. The breakfast buffet was a pleasant surprise, with Western and Japanese breakfast options. For such a fantastic and central location, we found this hotel to be an excellent value for the money. We had a great stay here.

Mimaru Tokyo Asakusa Station – Apartments
Mimaru Apartment Hotel (4 stars) opened in 2020 and has a convenient location opposite Asakusa Station, with a 7-Eleven next door. The fresh and stylish rooms are big (35-53 sqm) and comfortable, and all have a kitchen with a dining table, perfect for cooking. There is a laundry room as well, with washers and dryers.

They also have big family rooms (two bedrooms) accommodating up to eight people. Some rooms have views of the Toky Skytree and Sumida River. The staff is super friendly and helpful, and they speak English. I particularly love the rooftop area with a great view.

Asakusa Kokono Club Hotel
I love the interior design of this hotel. The rooms (15-27 sqm) are stunning, with big windows and a balcony. The hotel opened in 2020 and is close to Asakusa Station (10 min walk) and Senso-ji Temple (3 min walk), with a Family Mart right around the corner.  The hotel has laundry facilities, a garden, and a lovely rooftop terrace perfect for chilling with a drink and admiring the sparkling Tokyo Skytree in the evening.

They also offer free bike rentals, which are perfect for exploring Tokyo. The staff is helpful, and the small hotel restaurant has great breakfast options. This little gem of a 3-star hotel offers excellent value for your money.

Onyado Nono Asakusa Natural Hot Spring Hotel
The rooms are quite ordinary (modern and comfortable), but the real star of this 4-star hotel is the big onsen/ hot spring and sauna, which are open 24/7. If you have tattoos, the staff will provide you with stickers to cover them up. This hotel is like a ryokan, with the same Japanese hospitality and relaxed onsen vibe, although with Western-style rooms. I loved the relaxing feeling of taking off my shoes in the lobby and walking on the tatami floors.

They also have a laundry and dryer room, and the breakfast is amazing. Other perks are free soba noodles, free water, and fruits. The rooms on the higher floors have fabulous views of Toky Skytree and Senso-ji Temple. This is an excellent traditional Japanese-style hotel with a comfortable modern twist. It is also cheaper than most onsen-ryokans.

Cyashitsu Ryokan Asaksua
You can still find some traditional-style Ryokans (traditional Japanese inns) in Asakusa. One of the best is the beautiful Cyashitsu Ryokan, located just a few steps from one of Tokyo’s biggest attractions – the Sensjo-ji Temple, but in a quiet neighborhood. You get the ultimate ryokan experience with the most friendly and helpful staff here! The rooms are cozy, fresh, and spotlessly clean, with aircon and futon beds on the floor.

I love the elegant interior design. It’s truly Japanese but with a modern twist and great attention to every detail. The Japanese breakfast is a must-try for the ultimate Ryokan experience. The rooftop onsen/ hot spring bath is delightful. This is an absolute gem of a place and a great way to experience the true Japanese lifestyle!