Asakusa［浅草］

Asakusa

Asakusa is a well-known sightseeing area with the ether of the Edo period which has inherited a long traditional and distinguished history up to now.

Asakusa thrived as the temple town of Senso-ji Temple in ancient times. In the Edo period, playhouses moved into Asakusa and Nakamise shopping arcade was developed, flourishing as a major entertainment district.
During the Meiji Era, newly built entertainment halls and playhouses lined the street, becoming an amusement center for the general public in Tokyo. This area suffered devastating damage by the Great Kanto Earthquake (1923) and World War II, although its culture and traditions have been carried on for decades, nowadays it is alive with people as a tourist spot with the spirit of "Shitamachi" (old Tokyo downtown). This is a fascinating area represented by Senso-ji Temple, a landmark of Asakusa with its famous Kaminari-mon Gate (Thunder Gate), as well as shopping districts of specialties such as Kappabashi Shopping Center with its cookware and restaurant-related utensils.
Also, many events are held in Asakusa throughout the year - Sanja-matsuri (festival of Senso-ji Temple) in May, Hozuki-ichi (Japanese lantern plant market) in July, Asakusa Samba Carnival in August, Tori-no-ichi Fair (open-air market) in November, and Hagoita-ichi (battledore fair) in December - attracting a lot of people to the charming sights of Asakusa.