Asakusa

Asakusa is the area located about 1-2 km east of Ueno station. And Sumida River flows east of the area.
It is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, then many tourists from home and abroad visit here almost daily.

Originally Asakusa has developed as the town of Sensoji temple. And since the late 19th century many playhouses and comedy houses had opened in this area.
So here became the entertainment district in Tokyo.
The Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 and the World War II had damaged this town, but here had recovered strongly on each occasion.

Since 1960s, new downtowns such as Shinjuku and Shibuya has developed, so Asakusa has become an sightseeing town with the atmosphere of old Edo city.

The main sightseeing spot is Sensoji temple, and there are some spots around here.
Asakusa-Hanayashiki is a small and old amusement park, and it is said that originally it was opeened in 1853.
ROX is the only commercial complex in Asakusa area.
Along Sumida River, there is Sumida Park and it is one of major cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo.

Kaminarimon gate /1/

It is the gate leading to Sensoji temple, and is located about 400 meters south of the main hall of the temple. A big red chochin (Japanese paper lantern) with "Kaminarimon" in kanji character is hung in the center of the gate.
In the right side of the gate, a statue of "God of Wind" stands.
And in the left side of the gate, a statue of "God of Thunder" stands.
This gate was rebuilt in 1960.

Nakamise street /2/

It is the approach between Kaminarimon and Sensoji temple, and the length is about 250 meters.
Nearly 90 small shops are lined on both sides of the street.
These shops sell souvenirs, toys, confectionery and other Japanese cultural goods.

Asakusa Nakamise website

Sensoji temple /3/

Sensoji is a Buddhist temple in the center of Asakusa area.
In 628, fisher's brothers found a small statue of the Goddess of Kannon in their fishing net at fish catching in Sumida River. And their boss changed his residence to a temple and he enshrined the statue there. Sensoji is said to originate from that.

In the precincts, there are some buildings.
These former buildings were built in the 17th century, but all of them had destroyed by Great Tokyo Air Raids (March 10th, 1945). So they had been rebuilt after the war.

• Houzoumon gate /31/ : It is a gate in the precincts, and is between the end of Nakamise street and the Main Hall of the temple.
  "Houzou" means the "storehouse of treasures", so the part of the second story is the storehouse of cultural assets of the temple.
  A red chochin is hung in the center of the gate, and a huge straw sandal is hung on the reverse side of the gate.
• Main Hall /32/ : It is the central building of the temple.
  The former building was built in 1649, but it was destroyed in 1945, so current building was rebuilt in 1958.
  A statue of the Goddess of Kannon is exposed on December 13th every year.
  The original statue found in 628 is enshrined in a room behind the exposed statue. But it is never exposed to the public.
• Five-story pagoda /33/ : It is a pagoda built on a building. The height is about 48 meters.
  It was also destroyed in 1945, then current pagoda was built in 1973.
  On the highest story, Buddha's ashes donated from the Sri Lankan government is enshrined.
• Nitenmon gate /34/ : It is the east gate of the temple. It was built in 1618, fortunately, it escaped war damage.
  Originally this gate was built for Toshogu shrine in the site of the temple, but the shrine was destroyed by fire in 1642.
  This gate is designated as a nationally important cultural property.
• Asakusa Shrine /35/ : It is the Shinto shrine located north east of the Main Hall.
  It was built in 1649, and it enshrines the three men, the fisher's brothers found the statue of the Goddess of Kannon in 628 and their boss.
  We speak of "three Gods" as "sanja" in Japanese. So people affectionately call this shrine "Sanja-sama".
  And "Sanja Festival" of this shrine held on May 17th every year is very famous.
• Denpo-in /36/ : It is a temple living the chief priest of Sensoji, and is located southwest part of Sensoji temple.
  It was built in 1777, and has a Japanese garden about 1.3 hectares wide.
  Unfortunately it is not opened to the public.

Scenic or Nature / Park or Garden / Resort / City, Town or Village / Quarter or Street /
Temple or Shrine / Museum or Laboratory / Market or Commercial facility / Factory /
Other Building or Construction / Historic place / Remains / World Heritage Site

Tokyo Ryokan : Small residential architect designers house becomes Ryokan.
     Only three rooms make you feel like you are at home in downtown Tokyo Asakusa.
Taito Ryokan : Traditional Japanese style house for travelers.