Asakusa is where Tokyo’s old soul still walks its streets. The sound of temple bells, the flash of red lanterns, and the aroma of sweet ningyo-yaki cakes blend into a neighborhood that has carried its traditions for over a thousand years.

This is Tokyo before the neon lights, bullet trains and tall skyscrapers started dotting the district.

The history of Asakusa’s dates back sometime to the Asuka period (552-645) before the historical Edo (modern day Tokyo) was even founded. According to legend, Asakusa was founded around Sensō-ji Temple in 645 AD and grew into Tokyo’s first true downtown a place where merchants, artists, and travelers shaped the city’s character. During the Edo period (1603–1867), the district became Tokyo’s entertainment hub, filled with kabuki theaters, geisha houses, and bustling markets.

Amidst the modern-day architecture, Asakusa is where all the traditional beliefs and landscape still stand strong. In fact, its old-world charm made it a prominent setting in the popular anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and Fire Force.

As you explore, remember that Asakusa isn’t a replica of the past; it’s a living neighborhood built on faith and respect. Act with care at its temples and shrines, follow local customs, and you’ll discover why Asakusa remains the beating heart of Tokyo’s history.

Asakusa Samurai Museum

To get a taste of Japan’s feudal lord era during the olden Edo period and feel the weapons and armour the Samurai once proudly wore, head to none other than the Samurai Museum in Tokyo, located in Taito City in Asakusa.

More specifically known as the Samurai Ninja Museum, this place is just a 7-minute walk away from the famous Sensoji temple and Nakamise street. This place is a super immersive spot where you learn history in a hands-on experience. Inside the museum, you’ll find real samurai armor, katanas (swords), ninja gear and much more.

You’ll get a look into the feudal system of lords and daimyos and how the samurais once served Japan as its most fearsome and loyal warriors or turned into a ronin to act on their own. But what puts the samurai ninja museum apart is its interactive edge.

You can slip into replica samurai armor to take cool pictures, practice your aim with shuriken (ninja stars), and even join in on live sword demonstrations that show the discipline and precision these warriors lived by. Here are some of the cool activities you can book at the museum:

Sword Lesson at the Samurai Ninja Museum
Samurai Ninja Museum Guided tour and Experience
Kid-Friendly Ninja Class at the Samurai Ninja Museum

Sensoji Temple

You can’t go to Asakusa without visiting the Sensoji Temple – the famous red temple with the iconic Kaminarimon or “Thunder Gate” with its massive red lantern, is like the grand entrance to another world, leading you through Nakamise Street, a centuries-old shopping street packed with traditional snacks and souvenirs.

Established in 628 AD, Sensoji Temple is Japan’s oldest temple. It came into existence during the Asuka period (around the 7th century) when two brothers , Hinokuma Hamanari and Takenari were fishing in the Sumida River and pulled a golden Kannon statue out of the water.

When Haji no Nakatomo, the headman of the village, realized the fishermen had found a statue Kannon, he devoted himself fully to Buddhism. He transformed his own home into a temple that would later become the grand Sensoji and spent the rest of his life worshipping Kannon and conducting memorial services.

In 645, a Buddhist priest named Shokai arrived in the region and built a dedicated hall for the statue. After receiving a revelation in a dream, Shokai decided to keep the statue hidden from the public. From that moment on, it has remained hidden from view.

WWII bombings once destroyed Sensō-ji, but the local community rebuilt it, turning it into a lasting symbol of resilience and rebirth.

One of the most fascinating rituals there is the incense burner. People wave the smoke toward themselves for good health and luck. The temple also hosts Sanja Matsuri, one of Tokyo’s biggest festivals, where the streets come alive with parades and portable shrines. With its mix of sacred history, buzzing atmosphere, and timeless traditions, Sensō-ji is the heartbeat of Asakusa.

Nakamise Shopping Street

The Nakamise Shopping Street also known as Nakamise Dori is the 250-meter long shopping street that connects to Sensoji temple. Nakamise was built in the 17th century and currently holds upto 90 stalls serving souvenirs, snacks and sweets.

Nakamise Shopping Street came into existence when local people in Asakusa were granted permission to open shops and sell their items. In returns, the shop keepers were expected to clean Sensoji and keep its premises neat and tidy – a win-win.

The shops today still retain there old, traditional appearance with hanging lanterns tiled rooftops. Nakamise Dori can get crowded during the afternoon hours so it’s a better option to head there in the morning or towards late afternoon.

To make the most out of Nakamise dori and Senosji, take this tour guide that gives you insights into the temple, explores the temple’s hall and try sweets and food at the local shops.

Asakusa Tea Ceremony

A lot of travelers to Japan thinks they have to go all the way to Kyoto to attend an authentic tea ceremony and completely miss out the amazing one right in the heart of Asakusa. This way you can make the most of your time in Asakusa and cleverly plan your days in Japan.

This one-of-kind tea ceremony in Asakusa includes kimono dressing where an expert staff robes you in a beautiful kimono or light yukata depending on the season. Men, women and children can join in on the fun with options for the whole family.

The experience includes wagashi making, crafting excrafting exquisite nerikiri sweets by blending colors, shaping patterns, and designing your own edible works of art before moving into the tea ceremony itself. This is where you’ll whisk your own bowl of matcha under the guidance of a Japanese expert. You can book this tea ceremony and sweets making here to enjoy the authentic side of Japan.

Sumo Experience with the Wrestlers

While you can catch a and book a sumo wrestling in Tokyo (professional matches), this specific sumo experience takes you on a more intimate setting where you can talk and engage with the wrestlers personally!

A guide will take you to the morning practice of the wrestlers where you will see their brawling training and regime. You can also take pictures and even get into a fun, non-harmful wrestling match with them! And it doesn’t stop there. After the action, you can sit down and enjoy a steaming chicken hot pot with the wrestlers and experience what it’s like to be part of their routine.

This immersive sumo experience in Asakusa offers both adrenaline and insight, making it perfect for travelers who want to feel Japan’s heritage firsthand. Availability fills quickly, so secure your tickets as soon as you can and guarantee your front-row experience—book your sumo entertainment show here and enjoy an unforgettable day in Asakusa.

Yae Kimono Rental Asakusa and Photoshoot

Right by the Kaminarimon gate of Sensoji Temple is the popular Yae Kimono Rental. There’s no better place to walk around wearing gorgeous kimono than the backdrop of historic Asakusa and Sensoji.

Yae Kimono Rental has a variety of Kimono styles for men, women and children. It comes in many patterns and designs from retro styles to premium houmongi kimono (semi-formal kimonos known for their gorgeous flower patterns on shoulders, sleeves and hemlines).

For an extra touch, with Yae, you can book a private photoshoot in your kimono, capturing professional-quality memories against Asakusa’s historic backdrops. This is also one of the rare kimono shops where you can return the kimono the next day for a small added fee. So book your kimono rental at Yae before the crowd rolls in!

Ninja Cafe

If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into the shadowy world of ninjas, the Ninja Cafe Asakusa makes it possible. Here, you can slip into a ninja costume and train in classic skills like throwing shuriken, aiming blowguns, and handling a katana under the guidance of friendly instructors who make the whole experience fun for both kids and adults.

The café itself is part training ground, part theatrical dining spot, with ninja-themed dishes and drinks that bring the fantasy to life with shuriken-shaped curries, dramatic desserts like fiery fondant chocolat, and playful surprises that delight all five senses.

With photo spots scattered throughout and a playful “ninja house” setup with playful “booby traps”, you’ll feel like you’ve walked onto a movie set. Rain or shine, booking this indoor experience provides a perfect mix of culture, cosplay, and cuisine and it’s no surprise the place boasts a 4.9 rating on Google and TripAdvisor awards.

Asakusa Rickshaw Tour

These rickshaw tours with handsome Japanese boys pulling the rickshaw has been flooded in Instagram though the place they show is Arashiyama in Kyoto.

But you don’t have to go all the way to Kyoto if time is restricted. You can get the same rickshaw tour experience in Asakusa!

Book a rickshaw tour where the local guide pulls you along while sharing fascinating stories about the district’s history, temples, and architecture. This interactive sightseeing experience lets you cover more ground than walking while still enjoying a personal, intimate perspective of the city.

This is perfect for travelers who want an engaging and memorable way to explore, a rickshaw tour combines adventure, history, and charm into one unforgettable journey.

Traditional Japanese Washi Papermaking

A very underrated and not often heard of activity, washi papermaking is a part of Japanese culture that has existed for centuries.

Washi (rice paper) was introduced into Japan by China around 610 CE. The Japanese then refined and improved the paper making method by adding local materials like mulberry and hemp fibers to make stronger paper that would then be used in ceremonial origami for Samurai weddings.

During the Heian period, washi covered with gold and silver leaf was used as gorgeous decorations for books beautifully as Kokin Wakashu. The method of Washi paper making became recognised as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.

Today you can get a hands-on experience and try this traditional method of Washi paper making yourself in Asakusa by booking the workshop. A craft expert shows you and walks you through the steps until you make your own washi to take as a souvenir. Spots are limited, so it’s recommended to book your spots as soon as you can.

Japanese Archery (Kyodo) Experience

For those wondering where you might find a place where you can try slashing the air (or objects) with a real katana or hit the bull-eyes in a traditional Japanese style archery known as Kyudo.

The answer is right here in Asakusa! You can experience Kyudo by pulling the bow and arrow under expert supervision. This interactive session goes beyond observation, letting you physically engage with history while learning the cultural significance behind each stance, bow, and swing.

The experience gives you both adrenaline and insight, leaving you with a deeper appreciation for samurai heritage.

If you wish to see a real Japanese archery competition, you can get in touch with us through our contact or atworldsorigins@gmail.com for info.

Kendo Sword Fighting

Rooted in the traditions of the samurai, kenbu (sword dance) and kendo (way of the sword) are Japanese martial arts that combine discipline, etiquette, and sword technique. If you are a fan of samurais and swords, then this sword fighting experience will draw you closer to experiencing the time of a warrior.

In Asakusa, you can step into this world with a hands-on samurai sword lesson supervised by Takafuji Ukon, the internationally acclaimed head of the Kenbu Ukon school. Over the course of an hour, you’ll learn authentic skills from etiquette and sword drawing to proper stances and even perform a short sword fight scene by the end.

To top it off, you’ll receive an official school-certified certificate with your photo, a unique keepsake of your samurai training. This experience welcomes families, couples, and solo travelers, making it one of the most memorable things to do in Asakusa.

Asakusa to Odaiba Ferry

If you want a break from the hustle and bustle of the Tokyo crowd, head down to the bay to catch a ride on the Japan waters with their ferry.

Cruise through Tokyo by taking the ferry from Asakusa to Odaiba and see the city from a whole new angle. The Tokyo Mizube Line water bus glides along the Sumida River, giving you front-row views of Tokyo Skytree, Tsukiji Bridge, and the Rainbow Bridge in Yokohama.

The trip takes under an hour, so you can fit it easily between sightseeing stops. Snap photos from the deck, feel the breeze off the water, and watch Tokyo’s skyline shift from old-town charm to futuristic architecture. Whether you ride with friends, family, or solo, this quick cruise adds a fun, scenic twist to your Tokyo itinerary.

Hoppy Street & Night Walk

Asakusa temple at night Photo Credit: Ameena Navab

While the historic town draws crowds in the day with its temples and markets, Asakusa at night transforms into something entirely different once the sun sets. The lanterns of Senso-ji glow warm against the night sky, the shopping arcades quiet down, and the neighborhood takes on the bright red color of the temple.

This is the perfect time to wander down to Hoppy Street. The street was previously known as “Niku-Motsu Yokocho” (Stew Alley), and was established in the early Showa era (1940s) and is home to many long-standing eateries that have been in operation since that time.

The name “Hoppy Street” comes from the drink “Hoppy,” a popular low-alcohol beer substitute commonly served in these establishments post-World War II when beer was expensive, and Hoppy was a low-cost alternative.

Hoppy Street is a bustling spot for both locals and tourists today with many eateries and small izakaya-style stalls that serves sizzling yakitori and bbq. The street comes alive with red lanterns flickering outside tiny izakayas, smoke and scent of delicious grills wafting through the air and the sounds of merry ringing through the area.

Sitting shoulder-to-shoulder on plastic stools with both Tokyoites and travelers, you’ll quickly see that Hoppy Street is an atmosphere to experience.

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