Asakusa (浅草) is the part of Tokyo most famous for the Sensoji, a Buddhist temple dedicated to the bodhisattva Kannon. There is also an above-average density of temples in nishi-(west)-Asakusa.
Asakusa is on the north-east fringe of Central Tokyo, at the Eastern end of the Ginza subway line, approximately one mile east of the major Ueno railway/subway interchange. It is central to the area colloquially referred to as shitamachi (not an official designation), which literally means "low city," referring to the low elevation of this old part of Tokyo, on the banks of the Sumida River. As the name suggests, the area has a less hectic and more traditionally Japanese atmosphere than some other neighbourhoods of Tokyo.
The Sumida River from The Komagatabashi Bridge.
Headquarters of Asahi Breweries across the Sumida River from Asakusa.
Small Temple on Edo-Dori.
Entrance from Asakusa Tobu Line Station to Nakamise Shopping Center.
Inside Nakamise Shopping Center.
Inside Nakamise. Nakamise is one of the oldest shopping centers in Japan. Since Shogun Tokugawa (Ieyasu) established Edo Shogunate, the population in Edo (old capital city, now Tokyo) grew as well as visitors to Sensoji Temple.
In 1688 - 1735, those neighbors who performed receiving and serving visitors in Sensoji Temple were given special right to open their shops in the approach to the temple. This was said to be the beginning of Nakamise.
In Edo Era, 20 tea houses located between Dempoin and Niousan-side, were called "Yakudana", and shops located near Kaminari-mon, were called "Hiramise", which were selling toys, sweets, snacks, and souvenirs. The number of shops increased and it became one of the best ordered temple towns in Japan.
Today there are around a 100 shops in Nakamise and there are good bargains to found here.
Kaminarimon gate. Another entrance to Nakamise Shopping Center.
Alley behind Nakamise Shopping Center. The red long house on the left are the back entrances to the stores.
Me under a giant Japanese lantern in Kaminarimon gate.
Shinjuku
