Tokyo walking tours will never be truly complete without visiting Sensoji Temple and its surrounding Asakusa District. So if you`re visiting Tokyo for the first time, make sure your itinerary includes a stop at these locations for an authentic experience!
Sensoji temple itself is the world`s most visited religious shrine, while Asakusa offers a truly unique blend of modernity and tradition that`s hard to find anywhere else in the world. That said, here are the top five activities that should not be missed when visiting Sensoji Temple and Asakusa.
1. Enter Through the Kaminarimon Gate
All Tokyo walking tours going to Sensoji Temple will always go through the iconic Kaminarimon. Meaning “Thunder Gate” in Japanese, Kaminarimon is the grand entrance to the temple.
You`ll notice the massive red lantern and guardian statues at the entrance, which sets a majestic tone for the visit. If there`s a gate that`s built to awe anyone going through it, then Kaminarimon is perfect for that.
While visitors often stop to take photos here and marvel at the traditional architecture, it`s always the imposing chochin (“lantern” in Japanese) at the gate that takes anyone`s breath away. Made of a bamboo frame and countless sheets of paper, the lantern symbolizes good luck and prosperity.
But while it might seem like it`s flimsy, that lantern weighs a colossal 1,543 lbs (700 kilograms), and is almost 13 feet tall on its own. No wonder it`s such a magnificent site to see!
2. Stroll Down Nakamise Street
Leading from the Kaminarimon to the inner gate of the temple, Nakamise Street is one of the oldest shopping streets in all of Japan.
Lined with traditional shops and stalls, it offers a variety of souvenirs, snacks, and local crafts. So if you`re looking for traditional souvenirs in Tokyo, this is one of the best places to get it from. From delicious taiyaki (fish-shaped pastries) to colorful yukata (summer kimonos), this street is a touristy paradise. It’s also an excellent place to try traditional Japanese street food, so get your adventurous tastebuds ready!
Good Tokyo walking tours will bring you through Nakamise and reveal other excellent things to try. So be sure to ask your guide about their recommendations.
3. Experience the serenity of the Main Hall and Asakusa Shrine
Once you`ve walked down to Nakamise, you`ll see the magnificent Main Hall of Sensoji Temple. This hall is dedicated to Kannon Bosatsu, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. That said, the hall is a place of worship so it`s important to treat it with utmost respect.
After that, the next stop on most Tokyo walking tours will be the Asakusa Shrine. It was built to honor the three founders of Sensoji but also serves as a serene environment to take a breather in. Any tour of Tokyo is going to be a workout, so it`s good to find an excellent place to rest! Asakusa Shrine is a good candidate for that.
4. Get rid of bad luck during Tokyo walking tours!
Tokyo walking tours to Sensoji will also allow visitors to try out several traditional Buddhist practices. One of these is drawing omikuji or paper fortunes. You do this by shaking a container and drawing a stick, which will give you a paper slip that tells your fortune. You`ll need to pay 100 yen for this though, so get your coins ready.
As for those who receive bad fortunes, don`t throw the slip away. You must tie your slips to a designated rack to leave the bad luck behind. If your fortune is good, then you`re golden!
Aside from that, there`s also another popular activity called the incense ritual. Visitors waft the smoke from a large incense burner toward themselves for purification and healing.
5. Explore the Surrounding Asakusa Area
After going through time and experiencing the spiritual in Sensoji, it is now time for you to explore Asakusa. The district offers a blend of old and new Japan in a way that`s rarely seen anywhere else. Among the best things to do to experience that blend of modernity and tradition is riding a rickshaw.
The rickshaw driver, who can also serve as a tour guide, will bring you through the historic streets and explore other sites such as the nearby Sumida Park. After that, you can also enjoy a cruise on the Sumida River, or look for other points of interest by getting a map or a bird`s eye view of the district at the Asakusa Culture and Tourist Information Center.
The center has maps in multiple languages available, and its viewing deck likewise provides stunning views of Sensoji and the Asakusa district from above. From there, you could plan your next few stops and perhaps ask the center workers which place they`ll recommend visiting next!
All in all, Sensoji Temple and Asakusa offer a memorable journey through one of Tokyo’s most treasured districts. If you`re a massive history buff or just enjoy going through or trying something new (and spiritual) amidst the bustling streets of Tokyo, there`s almost nothing better!
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