Exploring Tokyo: Asakusa Guide, Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is a big city with many layers to it. It’s impossible to try to reveal all the layers during a five-day stay, but I certainly tried my best. Asakusa falls under Eastern Tokyo in the Taito ward and it is separated from the more industrial Oshiage area, where you find the Tokyo Skytree, by the Sumida River. So what is there to see in this old entertainment district?

First off, I did a lot of research on where to stay during my visit to Tokyo. Shibuya and Shinjuku immediately comes to mind. But being a budget traveler, I had to seek out some more affordable areas to stay and Asakusa suited my budget perfectly. My hostel was literally a few meters from the hugely popular Sensoji Temple and I found the narrow streets stuffed with all kinds of vendors to my liking.

This temple is what makes Asakusa a tourist spot. On any given day Nakamise Shopping street is pact with local and foreign tourists, visiting one of the biggest temples in Tokyo. This is a great place for souvenirs and trying local delicacies and street food. I had the best pork bun here ever, some dango covered in ground sesame seeds, a sakura (cherry blossom) fried mochi, macha ice cream etc. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).