Asakusa

Asakusa is located in Sumida ward, inTokyo.

Kaminarimon or thunder gate famous for the big red lantern hanging there is the symbol of Asakusa.

For many centuries, Asakusa used to be Tokyo's leading entertainment district. During the Edo period, Asakusa was popular for kabuki theaters.

It is said that early in the 7th century, a fisherman caught up a statue of the Goddess of Mercy (Kannon) in his net, and this led to Sensoji’s founding.

Asakursa has long thrived as a temple town with Sensoji and has an old down town atmosphere. Nakamise shopping street is the ideal place to get Japanese souvenirs. It has  almost 90 little shops on both sides of the street  and leads from Kaminarimon to the temple grounds.

 The opening of Tokyo skytree, a twenty minute walk across the Sumida River from Asakusa, has led to an increase of tourists recently.