Bathed in sunlight, rickshaw pullers navigate the historic streets of Asakusa, their comings and goings a classic sight in the area. Traditionally, this role has been dominated by men, but recently, there's been a noticeable increase in female pullers, adding a vibrant splash of diversity. These pullers, maneuvering carriages larger and heavier than themselves, dash nimbly through the streets, catching the eyes of many. Among the few female rickshaw pullers in Asakusa is a girl from Taiwan named Wang Nanping.

On the day we interviewed Wang, it coincidentally was her 27th birthday. During the morning meeting at her company, she received congratulations from her boss and colleagues, smiling happily and a bit shyly. When asked why she wanted to become a rickshaw puller, Wang answered, "Because it's cool!"

Wang began her journey as a rickshaw puller in February 2022, so she hasn't been in the role for long. Before this, she worked in an office job that was completely unrelated. Realizing that a life spent sitting at a desk wasn't for her and thinking about changing jobs, the idea of becoming a rickshaw puller popped into her head.

"I've always thought rickshaw pullers were cool!" Wang said. The job allows her to meet different people and make use of her language skills to introduce sights and share information, which is exactly what she wanted to do. Plus, there are very few female rickshaw pullers, and she thought running with the rickshaw could definitely be cool!

However, when it comes to female rickshaw pullers, the first question that often comes to mind is: Do they have enough physical strength? For Wang, who already had a routine of fitness exercises, running a rickshaw turned out to be a perfect way to get in some physical activity, essentially making it a job tailored for her.

Wang works for "Tokyo Rickshaw," a company where new members must undergo training. This includes lessons on the history of Asakusa, presentation methods, route planning, photography skills, and, of course, a trial run on the streets. According to Yui Oikawa, a manager at Tokyo Rickshaw, it's not uncommon for people to give up after a few days of training. However, Wang learned quickly and had limitless energy. Within two months, she officially debuted, becoming one of the rickshaw pullers in Asakusa and the area's only foreign rickshaw puller.

Rickshaw tours in Asakusa might have recommended routes, but the pullers adjust the details based on the passengers' interests. For example, if a passenger is interested in history, the tour might focus more on the areas around shrines. Or, it might not follow any set itinerary at all, going entirely wherever the passenger wishes. Wang once had a passenger who spent two hours exploring all of Asakusa to collect the "Seven Lucky Gods" seals. There have also been passengers who were just interested in chatting, not minding where they went.

Adapting the reception and presentation to the needs of the customer embodies the Japanese concept of "omotenashi," or thoughtful hospitality, which is crucial yet challenging to master. Despite being relatively new to the job, after the baptism by fire of the Golden Week rush, serving a large number of Japanese customers, Wang's experience and language skills skyrocketed. "My Japanese improved by leaps and bounds," Wang said with a laugh.

So, let's hop onto Wang's rickshaw and let her take us on a real journey to experience the charm of touring Asakusa by rickshaw!

On this tour, Wang takes us on the most classic route, including passing by the Sumida River, admiring the Tokyo Skytree, learning about the Asakusa Temple and Asakusa Shrine, and making a special stop at Wang's recommended Imado Shrine.

On this day, Asakusa was under a brilliantly clear sky, but the rickshaw thoughtfully provided a sunshade, allowing us to stay cool and enjoy the breeze while avoiding the intense sunshine.

From the vicinity of Asakusa's Kaminarimon, a 10-minute rickshaw ride will get you to Imado Shrine. Imado Shrine is a historically significant shrine in Asakusa, primarily known for prayers related to matchmaking. In recent years, it has become one of the popular shooting locations for romantic TV dramas, which has further increased its fame. The shrine is always filled with people praying for connections, as well as fans on a pilgrimage to this sacred site.

Visiting a shrine follows specific etiquette, which Wang meticulously explained to us. This includes walking on the sides of the pathway to the shrine because the center is reserved for the deities; the proper sequence for washing hands at the purification fountain; and the method of offering coins and the way to clap hands when making a wish to the deities. Without Wang's explanations, many of these details might have gone unnoticed.

After paying our respects, Wang continued to guide us around the shrine, including recommending spots for taking photos. Imado Shrine is also believed to be the birthplace of the maneki-neko, or the beckoning cat, a symbol of good fortune and wealth. Inside the main shrine building, there are two large maneki-neko statues, and throughout the shrine, you can find numerous cat statues and motifs. Occasionally, a real white cat can be spotted wandering the shrine grounds, and it's said that seeing her brings good luck!

The omamori (charms), ema (votive tablets), and goshuin-cho (stamp books) at Imado Shrine all feature the maneki-neko as their design. If you're a cat lover or seeking good fortune and relationships, you definitely shouldn't miss out!

Language Services Offered
Japanese

In about a 30-minute rickshaw ride, with Wang's guidance, we discovered and understood more about Asakusa than we ever could on our own. You can decide your destinations based on your own interests, and it's effortless! This unique experience is something you can only enjoy on a rickshaw. Plus, being on a rickshaw gives you a higher vantage point than usual, allowing you to appreciate the scenery from a different angle. "This sense of stepping out of the everyday is something I highly recommend!" Wang says. If you want to explore Asakusa efficiently and in-depth, riding a rickshaw is definitely a great choice. Next time you're in Asakusa, I recommend trying out the rickshaw experience!

Language Services Offered
Japanese, English, Chinese

Besides exploring Asakusa, don't forget to indulge in the local cuisine. Here are the recommended desserts from Wang, who is very familiar with Asakusa. There's something for everyone, from traditional Japanese to Western styles. Make sure to check these out when you're in town!

Asakusa Mangando, with several branches in Asakusa, is a "sweet potato dessert specialty store." Utilizing the natural sweetness and creamy texture of sweet potatoes, they've created the popular dessert "Imokin" (sweet potato gold, priced at 152 yen including tax). This treat wraps sweet potato filling in a thin crust, enhancing the texture with its convenient, bite-sized square shape. Other variations include additions like chestnuts or a choice of crust thickness, and they even offer seasonal flavors to satisfy everyone's preferences.

Language Services Offered
Japanese

An old Tokyo tea shop known not just for its high-quality tea leaves and tea ware but also for attracting matcha enthusiasts with what is claimed to be "the world's richest matcha ice cream." This is a collaboration between Suzukien and Shizuoka Prefecture's matcha specialty store "NANAYA," offering Italian-style gelato with seven levels of matcha intensity to choose from. The editor tried out No. 7 (single scoop of matcha gelato No. 7, priced at 630 yen including tax), touted as "the world's richest matcha." It's not just visually matcha; the first taste brings an explosion of rich tea flavor that lingers pleasantly long after. A must-try for matcha lovers!

Language Services Offered
Japanese, English, Chinese

A Japanese-style dessert specialty shop centered around strawberries, where you can enjoy strawberry-themed treats all year round. Their offerings include strawberry daifuku (rice cakes), strawberry dorayaki (pancakes), and even strawberry-flavored beer! The editor tried the "Strawberry Milk Smoothie" (Ichigo Smoothie (Milk), priced at 750 yen including tax) this time, which contains 16 fully ripe strawberries blended with milk and carefully selected vanilla to create a pink smoothie. It tasted tangy, sweet, smooth, and refreshing, instantly dispelling the summer heat!

Language Services Offered
Japanese

The three dessert shops recommended above each have their unique charm, representing Japanese, Italian, and Western styles respectively. After actually tasting offerings from all three, the editor found the Strawberry Milk Smoothie to be the most suitable for the hot summer, offering a refreshing and thirst-quenching treat; the No. 7 matcha is indeed very rich, but the editor is also intrigued by the hojicha flavor, promptly adding it to the must-try list. The Imokin may seem the least visually appealing at first glance, but its genuine ingredients and authentic taste make one eager to try it for themselves!

When you visit Asakusa next time, don't forget to take a rickshaw ride. If you're lucky enough to meet Wang, you'll be able to enjoy a tour, effortlessly learning about the local culture and history, making your trip even more profound and interesting!

(Special thanks to Tokyo Rickshaw for their cooperation with this article.)

*This article is based on information gathered in July 2022; for the latest information, please visit their official website.