Asakusa

Each year roughly 30 million people visit the popular town, and frankly, you must not skip it. When you see why it’s such a draw, you too will think, “Yes, this is what I expected!”

Brief History

The history of Asakusa begins in the year 628 — when Senso-ji (temple) was constructed — and the town began to prosper slowly, that is, until the beginning of the Edo era (1603-1868).

During the Edo period, the capital city of Japan transferred from Kyoto to Edo (today’s Tokyo). As a result, the Edo Shogunate established several rice granary storage units in Kuramae area, near Asakusa, which led to a major turning point for the town.

With a growing number of people visiting and money gathering in Asakusa, it soon became one of Japan’s centers for business, culture, and entertainment.

The Great Kanto earthquake of 1923 and the aftermath of WWII air raids left most of the town devastated, putting a holt to the growing prosperity of Asakusa; and then began the decline as Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, etc. and other western parts of central Tokyo started to thrive, forcing Asakusa to become more or less a tourist town.

Nearby Excursions

Near Asakusa is Kappabashi Kitchenware Street, an area where over 170 shops sell kitchen knives, food products, all kinds of kitchen utensils, and even plastic foods and displays.

It is Japan’s foremost kitchenware street. Tokyo Skytree, the world’s 2nd largest building in the world, lies in the neighborhood and worth visiting too.

Near Asakusa is the world’s 2nd tallest structure, Tokyo Skytree. So, plan your day to hit both Asakusa and Skytree, it’ll save you time.