Located in the heart of Tokyo, Asakusa is one of the city’s most historic and atmospheric neighborhoods, famous for its temples, nostalgic streets, and deep cultural roots. It’s a must-visit destination for travelers seeking a glimpse of traditional Japan, where centuries-old customs meet lively modern charm.

Wander in any direction and you’ll find something unexpected: a serene shrine tucked beside a buzzing market, a retro café serving matcha and wagashi, or even a classic amusement park nestled among narrow alleys. The area is always alive with visitors from around Japan and the world, drawn by its mix of sightseeing, street food, and unforgettable photo spots.

Here are some of the best things to do in Asakusa, curated by a resident in the area.

To begin our exploration of Asakusa, we'll head to the famous Sensōji Temple. If you are looking to take great photos, we recommend visiting in the early morning hours, around 6-7 AM, when the temple and its Kaminarimon Gate are relatively quiet and free from crowds. However, you can take amazing photos at any time of the day; it is just that you need to come early if you want to focus on the temple buildings and closed stores.

Sensōji Temple, which dates back to 628 AD, attracts an impressive 30 million visitors annually. As you explore the temple grounds, be sure to enter the temple precinct via Kaminarimon Gate to experience Nakamise Shopping Street. While coming early in the morning will allow you to fully appreciate the intricate details of Japanese architecture and soak in the ambiance of this historic area, there is nothing quite like visiting when all of the stores are open and have all of their goods on display.

There are all kinds of souvenirs and sweets to see and try as you walk toward the main temple buildings, and it is very easy to get distracted by all the shops and restaurants on the side streets.

It is easy enough to visit Sensōji Temple on your own, and if you are unsure of where to go next, consider joining a private guided tour. A knowledgeable local guide can show you the best locations in the neighborhood and provide insight into the rich history and culture of the area. This is a great way to make the most of your time in Asakusa and ensure you don't miss any hidden gems.

Tip: Don’t forget to get a goshuin, a special temple stamp that makes a meaningful and artistic souvenir of your visit. You can receive one at the temple office after making a small donation (typically around 300 yen). Learn more about goshuin here.

Nakamise Shopping Street, the path that links Sensōji Temple's main hall with the Kaminarimon Gate, is brimming with a wide variety of shops selling diverse goods and delicacies.

One store that we highly recommend visiting is Kimura-ya Honten, renowned for its ningyoyaki: a soft cake filled with sweet red bean paste. While many shops in the Asakusa area sell ningyoyaki, Kimura-ya is regarded as the pioneer of this treat, with a rich history dating back to the Edo period. If you want to sample the best version of this Asakusa specialty, be sure to stop by Kimura-ya.

The shop's most popular offering is the souvenir set, which features a charming box containing four varieties of ningyoyaki, each shaped after a prominent symbol of Asakusa.

These delightful treats are crafted using a simple blend of wheat flour, eggs, sugar, and honey. The cakes' soft and fluffy texture pairs perfectly with the moist, mildly sweet red bean paste filling, creating a delectable treat that's sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Our next recommendation offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Asakusa. Head to the eighth floor of the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, located directly across from the Kaminarimon Gate, to access the observation deck.

From here, you can take in the stunning sights of Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree, all completely free of charge. Don't miss the chance to soak up the incredible view from this amazing vantage point.

As you step onto the observation deck, your eyes are immediately drawn to the stunning sight of Tokyo Skytree in the distance. The area is equipped with benches, providing a comfortable spot for visitors to relax and take in the breathtaking panoramic view while giving their feet a rest.

By matching the scenery before you with the information board available, you will be pick out the locations of the various tourist attractions while enjoying a bird’s eye view of Asakusa!

You can take a leisurely stroll for about 15 minutes from Asakusa to reach the iconic Tokyo Skytree, a well-known landmark in Japan. This stand-alone communications tower boasts a height of 634 meters, towering above the Tokyo Tower. Visitors can enjoy various attractions such as restaurants, souvenir shops, and the Tembo Deck, an observation deck that offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Tokyo.

The Tembo Deck, located 350m above ground, and the higher Tembo Galleria at 450m, offer stunning panoramic views of Tokyo up to 75km away on clear days. Catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji or enjoy a breathtaking sunset from the Tembo Galleria, and witness the city transform into a twinkling wonderland at night.

At the base of Tokyo Skytree is the shopping complex “Tokyo Solamachi,” which includes approximately more than 300 different stores. Explore Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree and Solamachi for a fun and interesting day in Tokyo!

This is Asahi Group's main building, which is located close to the Sumida Ward Office and was completed in 1989. It has a very impressive external appearance; the amber-colored glass and the white wall at the top part represent a mug filled with beer, one of the leading products of Asahi Group.

On the 21st and 22nd floors of the building is a restaurant full of luxurious ambiance, and you can enjoy dining while overlooking the Sumida River and the townscape of Asakusa from 100 meters above the ground.

Also, the Super Dry Hall, which was designed by Philippe Starck, a French designer, is located next to the building. An ”objet” of a fire flame on top of the hall is very eye-catching, as well.

Within the Azumabashi building, there are not only an event hall but also a beer hall where you can taste quality-controlled Super Dry draft beer. (Note that the office part of the building is off-limits.)

Asakusa is home to numerous kimono rental shops that cater to tourists who want to explore Tokyo while dressed in Japan's traditional costume. Women and men alike can try wearing a kimono (or yukata in summer), and you can often see couples strolling around in these clothes around Asakusa. If you're interested in donning a kimono for a day, you'll have a wide variety of rental options to choose from in this neighborhood.

Whether you're on a budget or looking for high-end options, there are kimono rental shops in Asakusa to suit every need. Some shops offer rentals for as low as 3,000 yen, while others boast a vast collection of over 800 branded kimono. Many of these shops cater to foreign visitors and offer their services in English or Mandarin Chinese, eliminating any concerns about a language barrier.

Upon renting a kimono, shop staff will assist you in putting it on, and some shops may offer additional services such as hairstyling or professional photography as part of their rental packages. With a variety of shops to choose from, you can easily find one that offers the services you desire. Have a look at some of the options below.

Get hands-on with one of Japan's most cherished traditions and try your hand at "Edo kiriko," the ancient art of glass cutting. With over ten stunning designs to choose from, you'll be able to select your favorite and carve intricate patterns into the sides or bottom of a piece of glass.

Experience the essence of Japan at its most vibrant and leave with a unique souvenir of your own creation. It is easy to buy a handmade craft while you are visiting Japan, but it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to make your own glass to take home and use, or to give to a loved one.

Japan's lifelike food samples, showcased in restaurant displays, have long amazed visitors with their uncanny resemblance to real food. If you're fascinated by these samples, don't miss out on the opportunity to create your own at this unique experience.

Ganso Shokuhin Sample-ya Kappabashi-ten holds regular sessions for visitors to try their hand at making tempura and lettuce samples. Here, you will rely on traditional techniques to create your own food samples using wax.

In general, the hands-on session will be conducted in Japanese, but English sessions are also available for bookings when English-speaking staff are on duty. Because the making of food samples involves working with hot water and melted wax, all participants have to be briefed before starting the activity. As such, interested participants should join a tour with a guide by signing up via the shop website below, or go with someone who is able to translate.

At this attraction you can shape and craft your own knife. You can choose the type and size of size that you want to make, and use traditional tools to make it. There really is nothing like making your own beautiful knive amid the splendor of Asakusa!

After choosing your knife you will be taught how to sharpen it under the instruction of staff. Once it has been sharpened you can start engraving it. You can also create your own handle to really turn it into a unique blade which will make a memory that will last forever!

This museum offers you the chance to train just like a samurai at the only samurai-themed museum in Tokyo! Put on traditional samurai attire, learn to use and wield real katana techniques from expert instructors, and then try your hand at ninja star throwing!

The cost includes a guided museum tour as well as an opportunity to put on full samurai armor for a photo session! Please note that this attraction is for ages 13 and up.

Established in 1853, Asakusa Hanayashiki holds the distinction of being Japan's oldest amusement park. Among its many attractions is a roller coaster that dates back to 1953, making it the oldest surviving "scream machine" in the country. There is an admissions fee for entering and a separate fee for going on the rides, be sure to get the day pass ticket if you have young children as they will want to try every ride, and more than once!

With a wide variety of rides catering to all ages, including options suitable for infants and spine-tingling haunted houses, Hanayashiki is a fantastic destination for a family outing. Enjoy the festive atmosphere of traditional Japanese fair stalls in the game zone, or sign up for a ninja training session at the popular Ninja Training Dojo (reservations required; suitable for ages 5 and up). Head to the rooftop area for stunning views of Asakusa's main hall, five-story pagoda, and other local sights.

Just across the river from Asakusa, which is walkable thanks to the Sumida River Walk Bridge, Tokyo Mizumachi is made up of a line of stores and restaurants under a train line and adjoining Sumida Park. You can come here for a delicious lunch, for a cool drink or just sit on the nearby grass and enjoy the view.

Sumida Park also has a pond and a shrine, which brings together the modernity of the stores and the history and culture of Japan. You can easily get here from Asakusa using the Sumida River Walk Bridge, or take a train to Honjo-Azumabashi Station (one stop from Asakusa on the Asakusa Line) and walk for five minutes northward to Genmori Bridge.

Have you ever witnessed the grace of pulled rickshaws navigating the streets of Asakusa? While this mode of transportation dates back to the Meiji period, it's now a beloved tourist attraction. To experience the sights of Asakusa from a unique perspective, simply sign up for a pulled rickshaw tour during its designated time slot.

You will be surprised at how pleasant of a ride it is – so comfortable you will not feel the bumpiness of the road. Plus, sitting in the rickshaw and riding next to the traffic feels all so surreal! During the journey, the rickshaw puller will share about Asakusa’s streets and famous attractions with you, which will make your time more fulfilling than ever. You can find rickshaw drivers in front of Kaminarimon Gate or reserve a tour at the link below.

Once you have seen everything there is to see in Asakusa and are ready to visit somewhere new, how about traveling in style with a cruise! Asakusa Pier is near the Tokyo Metro Asakusa Station (near the Asakusa Ekimise department store), and you can buy cruise tickets using ticket machines. There are a variety of cruise destinations, and a range of different boats! These include the futuristic “Himiko” and “Hotaluna” boats, which have curved panoramic windows.

You can take a 35-minute cruise to Hamarikyu to visit the Hamarikyu Gardens, or a 40-minute cruise to Hinode Pier and go explore Kyu-Shiba-Rikyu Park, or take a longer 70-minute cruise to Odaiba Seaside Park or Toyosu. Odaiba Seaside Park is a very popular part of Tokyo because of its beach and shopping facilities, and of course, the Gundam statue. At Toyosu, you can enjoy perusing the massive LaLaport shopping mall or head to Toyosu Fish Market, one of the largest fish markets in the world, or to teamLab Planets, one of Tokyo's thrilling interactive art museums.

In recent years, Asakusa has gained a reputation for its exceptional ice cream offerings. Just a 10-minute walk from Sensōji Temple along the side roads, you'll find a long-standing tea wholesaler called Suzukien, located on Kototoi-dōri Street. Here, you can indulge in the shop's famous matcha gelato, which is produced in collaboration with the Shizuoka Matcha Sweets Factory Nanaya.

At Suzukien, you can choose from over 13 different flavors of gelato, including matcha gelato available in seven levels of richness. As a tea wholesaler, the shop also serves other tea-inspired flavors like hōjicha (roasted green tea) and kōcha (black tea) gelato.

The most popular flavor here is the “Matcha Premium NO.7,” made using the maximum amount of matcha that can be added into the gelato machine. This is “the world’s richest” matcha gelato.

Get ready to whip up some delicious Japanese delicacies and capture every moment with an Instagrammable cooking class in Asakusa! Learn the secrets of making temari sushi, miso-ball, asazuke, and more from the friendly staff, who speak English and love to share their knowledge of Asakusa's rich history and sushi's fascinating past. Plus, you'll have the best seat in the house for stunning views of the Sumida River while cooking up a storm.

Experience authentic matcha in the heart of traditional Tokyo at Matcha Making Tokyo, a top-rated class by Food Activity Japan. Located in culturally rich Asakusa, this hands-on experience is perfect for exploring Japanese food traditions. No experience is needed, and friendly English-speaking staff will guide you every step of the way. Solo travelers and groups are all welcome. Enjoy a memorable moment filled with smiles, mindfulness, and lasting memories.

Kappabashi Street, located just a short distance from Asakusa, is a must-visit destination for foodies and culinary enthusiasts. This vibrant street is home to a wide range of shops offering everything from kitchenware and tableware to high-quality Japanese knives and food samples. Whether you're a professional chef or a home cook, you'll find everything you need to create a truly authentic Japanese culinary experience when you're back home.

It will depend on what time of year you are visiting, but if you are lucky you might be in town to catch one of Asakusa’s massive events!

Asakusa's traditional events are an integral part of its charm, with a variety of exciting festivals and celebrations taking place throughout the year. Among them, the Sanja Matsuri and Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival are particularly noteworthy.

The Sanja Matsuri, held every May on the third Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, is one of the largest festivals in Edo and one of Japan's most famous. This lively festival, which marks the start of summer in Asakusa, features the colorful Daigyōretsu parade with participants dressed in traditional Edo period costumes, as well as a mikoshi procession involving around 100 portable Shinto shrines from the Asakusa neighborhoods. Be sure not to miss the vibrant atmosphere and cultural highlights of this amazing festival.

Taking place every year on the final Saturday of July, the Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival is widely regarded as one of Tokyo's premier fireworks events, drawing in crowds of around one million people. The fireworks and festival take place in two separate areas, each showcasing a dazzling display of approximately 20,000 fireworks, but the fireworks are actually viewable over a wide area and you will discover all kinds of viewing spots and events in the areas adjoining the river – and of course, Tokyo Skytree is close by!

The “Asakusa Samba Carnival Parade Contest” is another popular event held in late August. Just like the original Rio de Janeiro Carnival, dancers decked in colorful costumes parade down the street to the beat of samba.

Tori-no-Ichi is a traditional November festival held on Rooster Days across the Kanto region, especially at Asakusa’s Otori Shrine. Originating in the Edo period, it is dedicated to prayers for good luck and business success. Visitors shop for decorative bamboo rakes called kumade, believed to bring prosperity. The lively atmosphere, filled with rhythmic chants and festive energy, makes it a truly unforgettable experience.

(Article information is as of August 2025. Check official sites for updates.)