• Distance : 0.02
• Attraction : Directions

Please make your way to Kaminarimon Gate to begin our walk through Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan.

• Distance : 0.02
• Attraction : Gate

Beginning our tour through Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan, we stand at the Kaminarimon Gate. This is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Tokyo, especially because of the large red lantern known as the Chonchin. This is the symbol of Asakusa and even one of the main symbols for the whole city of Tokyo. Seeing the Chonchin in person is quite astounding, the size of just the lantern itself is seriously impressive. The gate’s more formal name is “Furaijinmon”, translating to “the gate of the wind god and thunder god”. Statues stand on either side of the gate of the two deities Fujin, the Wind God, and Raijin, the Thunder God. They are believed to protect the Sensō-ji Temple and its visitors. We will see the temple soon enough! 

On the other side of the gate are statues of the Buddhist spirits, Tenryu and Kinryu. They are male and female water dragon spirits who are there to protect the gate from any more fires such as those in the past that have destroyed the gate many times. It’s unclear when the gate was first constructed but it is believed to be around the year 942. The only pieces of the original gate that was persevered were the two heads of the wind and thunder gods. 

The Kaminarimon Gate is one of the most photographed locations in Tokyo, making it a very popular destination. If you get a chance to come back to the gate in the evening, the gate is illuminated with its lights. It’s a truly spectacular sight. 

Standing as such an iconic landmark for the city, but also the country of Japan, it is the perfect place to begin our tour!

• Distance : 0.12
• Attraction : Food & Shopping

As we walk through the Kaminarimon Gate, it opens up to the bustling and lively street of Nakamise-dori! Dating back to the 17th century, it is one of Japan’s oldest shopping streets, with many of the traditional stalls that have been run by the same families for multiple generations. These stalls range in variety, most of them selling Japanese snacks, crafts or omiyage, souvenirs! This is the spot if you would like to try Ningyoyaki -sponge cakes filled with red bean paste-or pick up a gift or two to take home with you from your travels. As we walk through the busy street it may be overwhelming, but please take your time and try a few things while you can! This is a famous spot and is really worth the foot traffic. 

This path that leads us to the Sensō-ji Temple is not only filled with good food and omiyage, but it represents the blending of Buddhism and Shintoism in Japanese culture. 

Shintoism is the Japanese indigenous religion based upon an ancient system of the relation humans have with nature. In 552, Buddhism was introduced to Japan and at first was not widely accepted by any means. But when the emperor Suiko was enthroned in 592, he believed in Buddhism and spread the religion through the country. Shintoism has always stood the test of time, therefore Buddhism began to slowly mix into the religious heritage of Japan. Therefore this path starting from the Kaminarimon Gate ending at the Buddhist Sensō-ji Temple is a beautiful reflection of just that.

• Distance : 0.43
• Attraction : Gate

The last gate before we arrive at the Sensō-ji Temple is the Hōzōmon Gate. The massive wooden gate was originally built in 942, but had been destroyed many times throughout history. The current structure is one that was built in 1964 and is still a wonderful representation of what it once was all those years ago. 

Two guardian statues stand on each side of the gate representing Niō, the guardian deities of the Buddha. Because of this the gate used to be formally known as Niō gate until it was later renamed to the current Hōzōmon.

The Hōzōmon Gate also has a nickname of “treasure-House Gate” as it holds a portion of Sensō-ji Temple’s priceless artifacts. You can view these items at the upper floor of the gate that is actually a small museum! 

As you pass by or through you will see many individuals bowing to show respect for this sacred site and the many other important locations nearby to which this gate holds.

• Distance : 0.00
• Attraction : Temple

Here we are now at the entrance of the Sensō-ji Temple. Sensō-ji Temple is the oldest temple in Tokyo founded in the 7th century, and one of the oldest in all of Japan. It is said that once the three brothers who pulled the statue of Kannon out of the Sumida River, the Sensō-ji Temple was born and dedicated to the goddess of mercy. It is an extremely important site in Tokyo, as it holds significance to Buddhism, as well as to the heritage and culture of Japan. The main hall of the temple is known as the Hondo. This is where you can pay your respects to the deity, Kannon, filled with traditional Japanese decorations, religious artifacts and an incense burner. 

If you are lucky enough to be here in the month of May, this is when the extremely popular festival of Sanja takes place! It is considered one of Tokyo’s most lively and wild festivals and is held in honor of the three men who discovered the statue of Kannon and established the Sensō-ji Temple. There is a large parade, tons of stalls lined with street food, music and so much more. If you have a chance to attend, it would truly be the event of a lifetime! 

Sensō-ji Temple is one of the most iconic landmarks in the country of Japan, with so much history and legacy, the temple is an excellent example of Japanese culture and the Buddhist religion.

• Distance : 0.01
• Attraction : Traditional Structure

The building to your left with the tall structure on top is the Five-Storied Pagoda. This is a traditional architecture design feature commonly found in or around Buddhist temples across Japan and even other parts of Asia. The number 5 holds great significance in Buddhism as it represents the five elements-earth, water, fire, wind, and ether. The entirety of the pagoda therefore symbolizes the quest for spiritual enlightenment. 

The Five-Storied Pagoda here in Asakusa is one of the last pagodas still standing in all of Tokyo at about the same height of an 18 story building. The original pagoda was said to have been built in 942 during the Edo period and was known as one of the “Four Edo Pagodas” but it was destroyed in an air raid during World War II. Thankfully it was rebuilt and a stone monument stands where the original site once was. 

In Japan there is a service known as “Eitai Kuyo”. It is a service to have a grave attended to by the temple permanently. Many individuals apply for this and if accepted those individuals and their families may enter the pagoda. This is a sacred site as  the interior is off limits to the majority of the population. 

Buddha’s ashes are also stored in the top level of the Pagoda, officially inherited from the Isurumuniya Temple in Sri Lanka. All pagodas are known to have the Buddha’s ashes at the top section.

• Distance : 0.00
• Attraction : Shrines

As we walk down this path into a garden of shrines, the largest is Yōgō-do on your left. It is dedicated and enshrined to the guardian deity of the zodiac that helps Kannon, as well as the 8 Buddhas who protect the 12 animals of the zodiac. Visitors can get a goshuin, a stamp that used to be given as a certification to prove a devout Buddhist. Today, it is offered more as a visiting certificate. On your right is Yakushido and this shrine holds a memorial service on the 8th day of every month. Throughout the pavilion there are quite a few other monuments and shrines as well.

• Distance : 0.33
• Attraction : Shrine

On our left is a courtyard with the Asakusa Shrine sitting in the back. The shrine is surrounded by different statues, monuments and other smaller shrines. The Asakusa Shrine is a Shinto shrine dating back to 1649 and is closely linked to the Sensō-ji Temple. The shrine is dedicated to the brothers who are believed to have discovered the statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, in the Sumida River. If you’d like to go up to it and take a look around please do. Once you have taken the time you need, please make your way back to the path we were on.

• Distance : 0.03
• Attraction : Gate

The gate we just passed through is a smaller entrance and exit of the historic Sensō-ji Temple, but nonetheless just as important as the other features. Featuring red and black lacquer, detailed wood carvings, and gold accents, it proudly represents traditional Japanese architecture that we will continue to marvel at during our tour. It is named Nitenmon as it enshrines two deities known as Niten. They are believed to ward off evil spirits and protect the Buddhist teachings. Unfortunately the original statues were destroyed by a fire at the end of World War II, so the guardians we see today were happily brought in from another temple, Kanei-ji of Ueno. These deities are important symbols for this gate as it also stands of the enduring heritage of Asakusa and its iconic Sensō-ji Temple.

• Distance : 0.06
• Attraction :

The area of the Senso-ji Temple is truly a magical place. I hope you enjoyed our time there. We are now going to make our way up this street and will be making a right in just a little bit.

• Distance : 0.19
• Attraction : Convenience Store

Just across the street at the corner to the left of you is 7-Eleven! You may already know, but 7Eleven is quite the staple in Tokyo and many other parts of Japan. You can find one on almost every street in Tokyo, but if you are familiar with the chain convenience store, it’s not like most other 7-Elevens across the world! 

Here in Tokyo, 7-Elevens are known to be clean, organized and full of fresh food! Don’t get me wrong, they will still have all of the delicious snacks and treats too, but you can get some absolutely fantastic meals at the 7-Elevens in Tokyo for a fraction of the price. 

As you browse the store, you’ll notice perfectly curated meals with items like udon, soft boiled eggs, sashimi, and sushi. You may question it slightly as it is a convenience store, but if you take a look at some of these amazing foods, you’ll notice some of them do not have expiration dates, rather expiration hours! It can be astonishing at how fresh these foods really are. 

In 1974 the first 7-Eleven opened in Japan and since then there are now 21,215 stores in the country, with 2,824 of them being in Tokyo. Japanese 7Elevens make up 30% of all 7-Elevens across the globe! I clearly am invested in the 7-Elevens here so please go check it out!

• Distance : 0.05
• Attraction : Restaurants

As we get closer to the end of the street there will be two restaurants I recommend trying! On your left will be a soba noodle restaurant, and on your right will be a shabu shabu restaurant! Soba noodles are buckwheat noodles and are a staple in Japanese cuisine. They can be served hot or cold and are even eaten as tradition on New Year’s Eve for good luck! 

Shabu Shabu is known as Japanese hot pot! This is an interactive dining experience where you get to cook your own meats and vegetables in different hot broths. 

Both options are delicious and a great path to trying traditional Japanese food.

• Distance : 0.19
• Attraction : Park

We will be making our way to the Sumida River Walk, but as we stroll along I’m sure you notice a lovely park we are walking through! This is Sumida Park. It’s a narrow space under the trees, but it is a fantastic place to see the Tokyo Skytree from a distance. 

If you know anything about the foliage of Japan, you will know that the cherry blossoms are an iconic symbol of the country. This section is a fantastic place to take in the gorgeous trees during their blooming season. 

With two bridges, modern sculptures, and a playground for the children, Sumida Park has a little bit of everything for everyone.

• Distance : 0.17
• Attraction :

Time to cross the river! Make your way up these stairs to reach the Sumida River Walk.

• Distance : 5.33
• Attraction : Bridge

We have finally made it to the Sumida River Walk! This is an excellent stroll to get a different perspective of some of the places we have already toured, as well as ones we will see more up close later. Here you can still see the Sensō-ji Temple, and in front of you can see the Tokyo Skytree in the skyline. It really is a beautiful view of the city while you are on the river, but the river itself is important as well! 

Do you remember the three brothers who fished the statue of Kannon out of the river? It was this river right here! It was an instrumental factor into many of the most famous and influential structures in all of Tokyo. 

Between the 17th and 19th centuries, when Tokyo went by the name of Edo, the Sumida river was a vital transportation route for trade, fishing, and passengers. Today, it is no longer a primary transport route, but its proximity to Tokyo is still extremely important to the city’s commerce. The river hosts different types of cruise and boat tours, as well as the Sumida River Fireworks Festival and Cherry Blossom Festivals helped put on by the Sumida River Walk. 

If you would also like to do any shopping, or you need to stop for a bite to eat we are heading to a section of Tokyo Mizumachi once you are done walking along the river walk and we have one stop at a park! It is just across the street when you arrive off the bridge, it is a shopping mall lined with more stores and restaurants than you can count. You could easily spend the whole day there, but we are going to wander a part of it so you can get a taste!

Please enjoy the rest of your peaceful walk along the bridge. We will talk again once you are done.  

• Distance : 7.69
• Attraction :

A peaceful walk over the river always clears the mind! We are going to see another section of Sumida Park and then we are going to go shopping!

• Distance : 0.03
• Attraction : Park

We are currently standing in the Sumida Breeze Plaza, perfectly nestled between Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree Station. There are many purposes to this plaza such as being the perfect venue for concerts, lectures, and numerous other performances and exhibitions. The venue’s goal is to promote cultural appreciation, therefore many of the shows and events that take place showcase traditional Japanese culture. 

You can take a walk through the path in front of you where there will be Hyotan Pond, and a few other shrines and monuments such as the Ushijima Shrine with a sacred ox statue, or the monument of the place Emperor Meiji visited.

Just like the patch of trees and pathways on the other side of the Sumida River I pointed out before we went into the bridge, this is all considered Sumida Park. This is a lovely location to take a closer look at the cherry blossom trees, especially if you are here during the proper season for their bloom! A safe bet is between March and April.

• Distance : 0.15
• Attraction : Shopping Center

Tokyo Mizumachi is a much newer development for the city of Tokyo. Its opening date was June of 2020, but since then has quickly gained popularity and traction. The name “Mizumachi” which translates to “Water Town” in Japanese, uses the same naming platform as that of Tokyo Solamachi which translates to “Sky Town” as it is adjacent to Tokyo Skytree Town. Sitting on the Sumida River, it's an excellent place to be a part of the community. 

Tokyo Mizumachi isn’t just a shopping mall, but it also has many restaurants, salons, Japanese artisanal crafts, and even a community hostel for both domestic and international travelers. This is a great location to be in a space for locals as well as tourists and get an idea what it’s like to live in the lovely city of Tokyo.

• Distance : 0.01
• Attraction :

If you didn’t stop to do any shopping there, perhaps you can mull over what you want to buy in the future while we walk along the street to reach our next destination. We will cross the street and go back up towards the Tokyo Skytree.

• Distance : 0.39
• Attraction :

Continue to make your way down this street.

• Distance : 0.38
• Attraction : Sumo Wrestling Center

In about a block we will arrive at a Sumo Stable that goes by the name of Naruto-beya. A Sumo Stable is not a standard martial arts studio, rather it is a complex managed by a retired sumo wrestler who was once a great in his prime. At the stable many young sumo wrestlers will live here and train here. If you are involved in professional sumo, you are required to belong to a stable. There are currently 44 stables and they all vary in size, ranging from over thirty wrestlers to only 2. 

Sumo wrestling is an ancient sport that dates back to the Yayoi period from 300 BE to 300 CE and has been Japan’s national sport for several thousand years. A quick synopsis of the sport’s objective is for the wrestler, rikishi, to force his opponent out of the ring or to touch the ground with any other body part besides his feet. While the sport is full contact and can be quite aggressive, there are many ancient ritual elements in sumo. An example is the use of salt purification from Shinto. 

Perhaps there will be training going on as we walk by and you could get an idea of the intense regimen sumo wrestlers go through on a daily basis. The stables are very strict from the hours of extensive training to the clothing they wear and the food they eat. If you are able to catch a match while you are here in Japan, please attend! Japan is the only country in the world where you can see professional sumo wrestlers in action.

• Distance : 0.33
• Attraction :

We have almost made our way down this street! When we reach the end we will cross the street.

• Distance : 0.03
• Attraction : Convenience Store

To your left is Japan’s second largest convenience store. Since we have already talked about 7-Eleven it seems only fair to mention FamilyMart too! With the same platform as 7-Eleven, the store boasts its cleanliness, organization and many delicious options for fresh meals, snacks, and desserts. If you didn’t stop in 7-Eleven, or even if you did and need another pick me up, head into FamilyMart and get yourself a custard taiyaki or a pork bun! I promise you can’t mess up with either option, but honestly you probably can’t go wrong with anything here!

• Distance : 0.02
• Attraction :

Making our way up these stairs we will follow the path to our final stop, the Tokyo Skytree!

• Distance : 0.19
• Attraction : Tower

We have officially arrived at our final destination! The Tokyo Skytree! The Tokyo Skytree is primarily for the use of television and radio broadcast and it was opened to the public in 2012. It is a part of the Tokyo Skytree Town where there are also restaurants, cafes, shops, a mall, and even the Sumida Aquarium! 

For a period of time in 2010-2011 it was proudly noted as the tallest building in the world, but to this day it is still considered the tallest tower in the world standing at 634 meters, or 2,080.5 feet tall! And the best part about this? Are the observation decks of the Tokyo Skytree where you get the perfect view of the city! The Tembo observation deck has a 360 degree view of Tokyo and its surrounding areas. On a super clear day you can even see as far at Mt. Fuji! Incredible! Another great feature is the Tembo Galleria observation deck where you can walk up a spiral staircase even further up to a space of all glass! The floors are glass, as well as floor to ceiling windows surround you to achieve a surreal experience. 

The design of the Tokyo Skytree has been compared to that of a tripod and has seismic proofing to protect it from earthquakes. The color of the tower is an originally created shade of blue-ish white called “Skytree White” and in the evenings trade off being illuminated with either sky blue or purple. The Sky blue represents “iki” which means chic or stylish, whereas the purple represents “miyabi” which means elegance or refinement. 

I really hope you have either bought a ticket in advance to tour the tower, or you are going to make your way to purchase one! During the high season it can get crowded so if you are able to purchase one in advance I would recommend doing so. 

This completes our tour of Tokyo, Japan! Tokyo is a large city as I’m sure you know and there are many other amazing sites to see. I hope you have enjoyed our walk through Asasuka, the Sumida River Walk, and into the town around the Skytree! Thank you so much for joining me today and learning more about the incredible city of Tokyo