【4K】Japan Walk – Tokyo ,February 2021,Asakusa (浅草) and Shopping Streets #Japan #Tokyo #Asakusa#浅草,

【4K】Japan Walk – Tokyo ,February 2021,Asakusa (浅草) and Shopping Streets #Japan #Tokyo #Asakusa#浅草, Sunday 7th of February 2021

Asakusa (浅草) is the center of Tokyo’s shitamachi (literally “low city”), one of Tokyo’s districts, where an atmosphere of the Tokyo of past decades survives.

Asakusa’s main attraction is Sensoji, a very popular Buddhist temple, built in the 7th century. The temple is approached via the Nakamise, a shopping street that has been providing temple visitors with a variety of traditional, local snacks and tourist souvenirs for centuries.

Asakusa can easily be explored on foot. Alternatively, you can consider a guided tour on a rickshaw (jinrikisha, literally “man powered vehicle”). A 30 minute tour for two persons costs around 9000 yen. Shorter and longer courses are also available.

Dempoin Dori (Dempoin Street)
For many centuries, Asakusa used to be Tokyo’s leading entertainment district. During the Edo Period (1603-1867), when the district was still located outside the city limits, Asakusa was the site of kabuki theaters and a large red light district. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, modern types of entertainment, including movie theaters, set foot in Asakusa.

However, large parts of Asakusa were destroyed in the air raids of World War Two. And while the area around the rebuilt Sensoji has regained its former popularity after the war, the same cannot be said for Asakusa’s entertainment district. The opening of the 634 meter tall Tokyo Skytree, a twenty minute walk across the Sumida River from Asakusa, has led to an increase of tourists recently.

Sensoji Temple
Hours: 6:00 to 17:00 (from 6:30 October to March)
Admission: Free
Sensoji (“Senso” is an alternative reading for Asakusa and “ji” means temple) is Tokyo’s most famous and popular temple. Built in the 7th century, it is also one of its oldest, although the current buildings are postwar reconstructions.

Nakamise Shopping Street
Hours depend on the individual shops; typically daily from 9:00 to 18:00
The Nakamise shopping street stretches over approximately 250 meters from Kaminarimon to the main grounds of Sensoji Temple. It is lined by more than 50 shops, which offer local specialties and the usual array of tourist souvenirs.

Shin-Nakamise Shopping Street
Hours depend on the individual shops; typically daily from 10:00 to 19:00.
Shin-Nakamise or “New Nakamise” runs perpendicular to the Nakamise Shopping Street. It is a covered shopping arcade lined by various shops and restaurants.

Kappabashi Shopping Street
Hours: Most shops open from 9:00 to 17:00
Closed: Many shops are closed on Sundays and national holidays
Kappabashi is an almost one kilometer long street lined by shops catering to restaurant businesses. Items on sale include tableware, kitchen utensils and appliances, sample food, furniture, signs, lanterns and uniforms.

Marugoto Nippon
Hours: 10:00 to 20:00 (3rd floor until 21:00)
Restaurant floor: 11:00 to 23:00
Marugoto Nippon is a large four-story building that features made-in-Japan products from all across the country. Food products from the different prefectures can be found on the first floor while lifestyle goods can be found on the second. The third floor is an event space, and restaurants are found on the fourth floor. There is also a hotel above the shopping floors.

Rox Department Store
Shops: Daily 10:30 to 21:00 (supermarket is open 24 hours)
Restaurants: Daily 11:00 to 22:00
Rox is a shopping and entertainment complex consisting of a main building (Rox) and three annex buildings (Rox2G, Rox3 and Rox Dome). Many shops sell fashion for ladies and kids. There is a 24h supermarket in the basement.

Tobu Asakusa Station & Matsuya Department Store
Matsuya department store is open daily from 10:00 to 20:00
Tobu Asakusa Station is the terminal station of Tobu trains heading into the suburbs and prefectures north of Tokyo, including trains to Nikko. The station building also houses a Matsuya department store that spans eight floors.

Asakusa Underground Street
Hours depend on the individual shops
The Asakusa Underground Street (Asakusa Chikagai) is one of the oldest underground shopping streets in Japan. The short passageway connects the Tobu Asakusa Station to the Shin Nakamise Shopping Street and contains about 20 shops and restaurants. The arcade looks like it has remained unchanged since the Showa Period (1926-1989), and visitors may feel like they walked into a throwback alleyway.
Other Attractions

Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
Hours: 9:00 to 20:00 (observation deck until 22:00)
Closed: No closing days
The Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center was newly opened in 2012, adding diversity to the streets of Asakusa with its interesting architectural design. The eight story building offers a tourist information desk in multiple languages, free wifi connectivity, a cafe, and an observation deck which provides good views looking onto Sensoji Temple and the Nakamise Shopping Street.