16 Fun Things to Do in Asakusa

Asakusa wears its history on its sleeve. A staple in every guidebook — and for good reason — this district is where to go for a taste of old Tokyo.

The iconic Sensōji Temple, with its towering red pillars, shares the streets with eccentric architecture and the swish of lacquered wheels as rickshaw pullers — hair slicked back, sleeves rolled just so — navigate through the tourist crowds. Looking for things to do in Asakusa? Here are 16 ways to make the most of your time in this must-visit locale.

1. Rent a kimono

Shed your jeans and T-shirt — the streets of Asakusa were made for wandering in traditional Japanese finery.

A common sight around Asakusa are couples, families, and groups of friends donned in kimono or yukata, depending on the season. While kimono are multi-layered and typically made from materials like silk, yukata are casual, single-layered robes ideal for Tokyo’s hot and humid summer weather. Purchasing these traditional garments can be costly, but renting is totally affordable. Packages may even include makeup and hairstyling services. There are places dotted all across the city that offer kimono rentals, but Asakusa has got to be one of the most picturesque places to try it out. 

2. Ride a rickshaw

When rickshaws, known as jinrikisha in Japanese (literally “human-powered vehicle”), debuted in Tokyo around the mid-1800s, riding them was all about utility. Fast forward to today, and these once-essential carriages have transformed into charming joyrides.

See the top scenes of Asakusa while whizzing by on a rickshaw pulled by friendly professionals with thighs of steel. This option will not only save your tired legs but also give you an insight into the area on a 30-, 60-, or 120-minute tour. Prices start at ¥6,000 — worth it for a unique experience that shows a different side of Tokyo. 

3. Take a peek from the top

Why pay money to go to the top of Tokyo Tower or Tokyo Sky Tree when you can see it all for free from the 8th floor of the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center? This building is a top Asakusa attraction designed by famous architect Kengo Kuma. The free veranda offers panoramic views.

Pro tip: If you’d like to go somewhere with a bit more space (and the ability to bring your own snacks), then try out Asakusa Hare Terrace on the rooftop of the Ekimise and (Matsuya) Department Store.

4. Explore Nakamise-dōri

Nakamise-dōri is the 250-meter-long shopping street between Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) and Hōzōmon (Treasure House Gate), Sensōji Temple. Follow the signs to the temple, and you won’t have any trouble spotting it. The narrow street is lined with close to 100 shops that sell souvenirs humble and grand, from ornate chopsticks to hand-painted sandals. 

Pro tip: For something a little quieter, try Denbōin-dōri.

Nakamise is nearly always crowded — it’s been a bustling shopping avenue since at least the 17th century — but it’s a reliable and accessible place to get your souvenir shopping done. Most stores close by sundown, so daytime is best for shopping purposes. But if you come at night, you get to see some intriguing shutter art. 

5. Sample traditional Japanese snacks

Got a serious sweet tooth? Asakusa is the place to be, and in fact, we have a whole guide about the area’s best sweets that you can read here. Here’s a whistle-stop treat tour (we introduce a few more in the video):

• Daifuku mochi with strawberry from Ginkado Asakusa: A soft cushion of mochi gives way to smooth red bean paste, followed by the sharp, clean bite of a fresh, oh-so-juicy strawberry. The sweetness is subtle, and the textures are just right. And if you’re around in spring, don’t miss the sakura mochi — the salt-pickled cherry blossom leaves add a refreshing, slightly savory touch.
• Ningyōyaki from Ganso Kimura-ya: These sponge cake-esque snacks are made by pouring batter into intricate molds — ranging from lanterns and doves to mini pagodas. In the center is usually a nice dollop of sweet red bean paste. It’s fun just to watch the artisans churn these out, but it’s even better to try one yourself.
• Melonpan from Kagetsudo: This bread isn’t named for its flavor but for the ridged pattern on top, resembling the skin of a melon (the Tokyo analog to Hong Kong’s pineapple bun). Fresh from the oven, the sugary craquelin flakes with each bite, while the airy bread inside stays soft, offering that coveted fuwa fuwa (fluffy) texture.

Pro tip: Asakusa can get overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Take the stress out of planning and book a local guide to show you the best spots. We recommend trying this 2-hour food crawl (from ¥11,500) or this more leisurely snacks tour (from ¥9,890).

6. Get your fortune told

Try your luck with an omikuji. These strips of paper are said to predict your future. 

Follow these step-by-step instructions:

• 1. Drop 100 yen into the box at any of the omikuji stations at Sensōji Temple.
• 2. Shake the metal container and draw a stick.
• 3. Find the drawer that corresponds to the number on the stick.
• 4. Pull out the fortune and read it (there’s Japanese and English text).
• 5. If you get a good fortune, keep it. If you get a not-so-good or bad fortune, tie it up to make sure it doesn’t follow you back home.

7. Say a little prayer at Sensōji Temple

As far as immersive cultural experiences go, they don’t get any simpler than this. Jostle to the front of the throngs of people and toss a 5-yen coin into the collection box. Afterwards, bow and pray. If you’re worried about the order of which to do first, just watch what the people ahead in line do. 

For more detailed info, here’s our complete guide to visiting temples and shrines in Japan.

Pro tip: The crowds thin out by evening. Head to Sensōji Temple after sundown for a mellow atmosphere.

8. Check out the festivals

Asakusa hosts plenty of festivals throughout the year. One of the most eye-catching is the Golden Dragon Dance, a spirited performance honoring the legendary origins of Sensōji Temple. A team of performers maneuvers a massive golden dragon puppet through Nakamise Shopping Street, accompanied by a parade of geisha and local children. 

Meanwhile, in early spring, it’s all about illuminated cherry blossoms along the water. In May, attend one of the city’s three major Shinto festivals, Sanja Matsuri. This is a wild celebration, drawing something like 2 million spectators, that involves tattooed men jousting with portable shrines — a sight to behold.

Summer signals the start of the large-scale Sumida River Fireworks. You’ll want to plan ahead to make the most out of your festival-going experience. 

9. Café hop around Asakusa

Explore not just the historical landmarks of Asakusa but also the hole-in-the-wall cafés that line its backstreets. From traditional kissaten to award-winning latte art baristas, there’s a café for every coffee lover waiting just around the corner. 

Have a look at our dedicated Asakusa café hopping guide for more information.

10. Visit Tokyo’s oldest Western-style bar

Established in 1880, Kamiya Bar claims the title of the oldest Western-style bar in Japan. While the first floor is a watering hole for locals with a communal feel — think long tables, basic bar snacks, and a rambunctious vibe — the second and third floors serve Japanese-style Western dishes (yōshoku) and upscale Japanese food respectively. The beverage of choice here is Denki Bran or electric brandy, a mix of brandy, gin, wine, and other secret ingredients, often drunk with beer as a chaser. Sound hardcore? It is. 

11. Browse the historical shops of Asakusa

Asakusa boasts well-respected shops that have outlasted empires. Here are a few bound to pique your interest. 

The first is Yagenbori, which has been blending spices for hundreds of years. In fact, as the clerk told us on our visit, 2025 marks the shop’s 400th year in business. While many claim that Japanese food lacks spice, relying instead on umami for its deep, satisfying flavors, shichimi togarashi — a seven-spice blend to cut through fatty bites of gyudon or liven up a rich stew — is a seasoning with something to prove. Packets of shichimi start at ¥540.

Just a short walk from Yagenbori, Kanaya Brush Shop specializes in handcrafted brushes. From everyday makeup brushes to culinary brushes designed to perfectly polish slices of fish with soy sauce, these brushes use premium, plastic-free materials. Toothbrushes, paintbrushes, hairbrushes, and brushes for cleaning and scrubbing — if it’s got bristles, Kanaya makes it.

For Japanese tea, head to Masudaen Sohonten. This family-owned tea shop, helmed by veteran tea ceremony practitioners, has been around for six generations. In addition to malty hojicha and green, vegetal sencha from Japan’s diverse tea-growing regions, Masudaen also offers matcha from Japan-exclusive producers at a variety of price points. If it’s matcha ice cream you’re after, Suzukien can’t be beat.

12. Stock up in Kappabashi

Kappabashi, just about 10 minutes on foot from Sensōji, is famous for vending all things kitchenware — it even has a festival dedicated to it. Having evolved into a shopping street dedicated to cookery goods after World War II, this wholesale district is jammed with over 170 shops selling everything from top-of-the-line knives to bargain ceramic plates and coffee grinders. While it’s a paradise for restaurant owners, everyday cooks will also find plenty to love.

Curious about the name? There’s lots of theories but one story is that it comes from kappa, mischievous water creatures from Japanese folklore. These turtle-like, webbed-handed beings supposedly helped a local merchant, Kappa Kawataro, dig a waterway to prevent flooding in the early 1800s. His proactiveness earned the kappa’s favor, and their presence is still felt today.

13. Buy or make your own food samples

 Whether it’s hyper-realistic paintings of fruit, slime that mimics melted cheese, or those elaborate banquet dishes featuring carrots carved into phoenixes, we can’t seem to get enough of things that look like other things. In Kappabashi, this fascination takes the form of shokuhin sampuru (food samples), the ultra-realistic plastic models displayed in restaurant windows across Japan.

Originally crafted to help diners navigate menus, these wax and PVC creations have become an art form of their own. Kappabashi is the place to make your own, see them up close, and grab a few souvenirs to delight your friends and family. Ganso Shokuhin Sample-ya has the largest selection of keychains and magnets.

14. Admire the eclectic architecture

You can’t leave Asakusa without a glance (and a photo) at the landmark “golden poo” perched atop the headquarters of Asahi Breweries. Designed to represent the passion and dedication of Asahi, its quirky shape has led to various interpretations. The unofficial word on the street is they had one too many of their own brew before coming up with the sculpture. Next to it stands the Asahi Beer Tower, a 22-story building designed to look like a well-poured glass of beer, complete with white paneling at the top resembling foam. 

To get an iconic Asakusa photo with all three buildings — the third being Tokyo Sky Tree — and floating yakatabune, head down to the promenade.

15. Have a bird’s-eye-view beer

There’s something surreal about drinking a beer at the Asahi Sky Room, perched on the 22nd floor of the Asahi Beer Tower. From this vantage point, Tokyo sprawls in every direction — glinting rivers, neon reflections, the spindly rise of the Sky Tree — but the space itself is a relic of a different era. It has a retro, slightly kitschy feel — a corporate dream of luxury that has softened over the years. Head to the 21st floor, then take the escalator up. Buy a beer (from ¥820), take a seat, and settle into the surprisingly easygoing atmosphere. 

16. Hop on over to Hoppy Street

Hoppy Street is filled from noon to night with folks chowing down on bowls of nikomi — a stew of beef tendon, morsels made tender by time — and downing bottles of Hoppy, a nostalgic, low-alcohol beverage typically imbibed with shōchū. The Red and White varieties resemble a light lager and score high drinkability points, but for something darker and chocolatey, bet on Black. 

Hoppy Street is home to numerous izakaya, and the best thing to do is walk around until you find the one that calls out to you — most, if not all, have English menus and welcome visitors. One solid pick is Totoya, where you’ll not only find the aforementioned Tokyo specialty but also rotating seasonal dishes highlighting fish. 

Frequently asked questions

Is Asakusa worth visiting?

Absolutely! Asakusa is a must-visit if you’re after a slice of old Tokyo. The district is home to the iconic Sensōji Temple, lively Nakamise-dōri shopping street, and a mix of traditional and quirky experiences — think rickshaw rides, kimono strolls, and sampling classic Japanese snacks. With its historical charm, cultural attractions, and even rooftop views for free, it’s an easy recommendation whether you’re a first-timer or a repeat visitor.

How do I get to Asakusa?

From Shinjuku Station, take the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line to Akasaka Mitsuke, then switch to the Ginza Line. Asakusa is the final stop. The whole journey should take around 40 minutes and cost ¥252. 

What else is near Asakusa?

Asakusa is not far from Ueno, another historic area offering everything from a pond full of lotus flowers to Yanaka Ginza, a quaint shopping street. This distance may not be walkable, though — it’s about 40 minutes on foot — so hopping back on the train is best. 

If you want to squeeze some other areas into your trip to Asakusa, you could also consider joining this combined Asakusa and Tsukiji Fish Market tour. 

Where should I say near Asakusa?

If you’re looking for places to stay, this guide to Asakusa accommodation is a good place to start.

Is Asakusa crowded?

The short answer: yes. The area around Sensōji Temple and Nakamise-dōri is generally packed with visitors and locals alike. However, if you’re looking to avoid the crowds, we suggest visiting in the evening and taking detours down some of Asakusa’s less trafficked zones like the Shin-Nakamise and Denbōin Street. Asakusa Station itself can get pretty busy, so get off at Tawaramachi Station instead and walk about 10 minutes for a slower pace and views of Tokyo Sky Tree. 

This post was first published in March 2018 by Grace Buchele Mineta. Last updated in March 2025 by Aarohi Narain.