Asakusa is home to Tokyo's most popular Buddhist temple and lots of budget accommodation. Nearby Ryogoku is home to the sumo stadium, the Sky Tree and the Edo-Tokyo Museum.
Kaminarimon of Sensoji in Asakusa
Asakusa feels like a completely different world from the modern hubs on the west side of the city. It's pure Shitamachi (Old Tokyo). Here is where Tokyoites come to worship at their beloved Senso-ji Temple and to check out the traditional shops and restaurants that surround it. A short distance to the west of Asakusa, you'll the Tokyo Sky Tree, while a short distance to the south brings you to Ryogoku, the home of Tokyo's sumo stadium (Ryogoku Kokugikan) and its best museum, the Edo-Tokyo Museum.
Things to Do and See in Asakusa and Ryogoku
- Senso-ji Temple (Buddhist Temple)
The spiritual heart of Tokyo, Senso-ji is a bustling, mercantile and colorful temple that's always fun to visit. You approach through the impressive Kaminari-mon Gate (Lighting Gate) and then make your way along the store-lined Nakamise before arriving at the main hall. Take some time to light an incense stick at the huge urn in front of the hall. - Edo-Tokyo Museum (museum)
Across the river from Asakusa is the Ryogoku Area (a taxi is the easiest way there from Asakusa and it should cost about Y900). Here is where you'll find the superb Edo-Tokyo Museum, one of my favorite museums in Tokyo. Inside a futuristic building, this museum showcases Tokyo history and includes great dioramas of pre-modern Tokyo. It's highly recommended. - Kokugikan (stadium)
There’s pretty much no reason to visit the Kokugikan Stadium in Ryogoku unless you’re watching a sumo match. But if you’re already at the Edo-Tokyo Museum next door, consider a very quick visit to the free sumo museum at the stadium. - Tokyo Sky Tree (observation tower)
Easily visible from Asakusa, the Tokyo Sky Tree is Tokyo's newest major attraction. Easily accessible from Asakusa by the Toei Asakusa Line or from central Tokyo via the Hanzomon Line (get off at Skytree), this is a good attraction on a clear day or evening, but be warned: It's very crowded. To be totally honest, I still think that humble old Tokyo Tower is a better way to get a view of Tokyo. - Asakusa-jinja Shrine (Shinto shrine)
Located alongside Senso-ji Temple, this popular Shinto shrine is a good place to make a wish and observe how Japanese worship at a shrine. - Kappabashi Kitchen Street (kitchenware shopping street)
A short walk west of central Asakusa brings you to this fascinating street of kitchen and restaurant supply shops. It's a must for cooks and pretty interesting for just about anyone else. I love the plastic food models (just like the ones you see in the windows of restaurants throughout the land). - Taiko Drum Museum (drum museum)
This fun hands-on museum of Japanese traditional drums (taiko) is good for a brief visit, especially with kids. - The Sumida Hokusai Museum (wood block prints museum)
The Sumida Hokusai Museum is a small museum dedicated to the master of Japanese wood block prints (think of “The Wave”). It’s interesting, but probably best for serious fans only.
Recommended Luxury and Mid Range Hotels In Asakusa
Places to Eat in Asakusa and Ryogoku
- Namiki Yabusoba (soba and tempura)
A very short walk south of Kaminarimon (Senso-ji's gate), you'll find this superb tempura and soba restaurant. It's got great old Japan atmosphere. It's very popular, so expect a line during peak times. - Asakusa Imahan (sukiyaki/shabu shabu)
For excellent sukiyaki and shabu shabu, try this classic old restaurant on the west side of Asakusa. It's highly recommended! - Sometaro (okonomiyaki)
I love this funky old okonomiyaki restaurant a short walk west of Senso-ji. It's in a run-down old building with plants out front. Expect lots of old Japan atmosphere but don't expect air-conditioning. - Daikokuya (tempura)
This popular old tempura restaurant is located very close to Senso-ji. There's often a line, so try to go outside of peak hours. Try the ten-don (tempura over rice).
Eat Like A Local In Asakusa and Ryogoku
Want an even more adventurous eating experience where you mingle with Asakusa and Ryogoku locals? Try these places
- Tentou
Tentou’s tempura rice bowl is hearty enough to power you through a full afternoon of sightseeing in Asakusa – so long as you don’t mind the smell of frying oil clinging to you afterwards. - Asakusa Naniwaya
Fried noodles and shaved ice to start the day? Don’t knock till you’ve tried it - this combination at Naniwaya in Asakusa makes one hell of a power breakfast. - Asakusa Ramen Yoroiya
If you’re in Asakusa over the Japanese holidays and you need a place that’s open for business, Ramen Yoroiya serves a very decent classic Tokyo shoyu ramen year-round. It’s a good place to have on your list when you’re in the area. - Hinatomaru
Whether it’s lunch, tea, or supper, you can’t beat a good sushi meal. Hinatomaru, a stand-and-eat sushi bar in Asakusa, serves up fresh, well-made sushi that’s great value for money. - Browse all Eat Like A Local In Tokyo places across the city
Places to Stay in Asakusa and Ryogoku
Asakusa is one of the cheaper places to stay in Tokyo and it's loaded with inexpensive hotels. It's also one of the last places in the city where you can find ryokan and there are quite a few guesthouses here that cater mostly to backpackers.
Recommended Budget Hotels In Asakusa
Asakuka and Ryogoku Ryokan
Budget Ryokan
- Ryokan Asakusa Mikawaya Honten
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
This inexpensive ryokan offers simple rooms and a super-convenient location for touring Asakusa – it's just a stone's throw from Senso-ji. - Asakusa Ryokan Toukaisou
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Very popular with foreign travelers, this ryokan offers simple Japanese-style rooms for super low prices. It's not far from Senso-ji.
Mid-range Ryokan
- Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
The Asakusa Shigetsu is a really nice mid-range ryokan with a location super convenient to Senso-ji. I recommend this place.
Luxury Ryokan
- Ryokan Kamogawa Asakusa
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
This fine ryokan is very close to all the sights. The service and the facilities are very good. I recommend this place if you want to try a ryokan in Tokyo.
Luxury Hotels in Asakusa and Ryogoku
- Asakusa View Hotel
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com.)
An old-school Japanese hotel with large rooms and commanding views over Asakusa. Cheaper than other luxury hotels in the city.
Mid-Range Hotels in Asakusa and Ryogoku
- Richmond Hotel Asakusa
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Right in the heart of the sightseeing district, this excellent business hotel has rates that sometimes dip into the budget range. - The Gate Hotel Asakusa Kaminarimon by Hulic
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
A brilliant location right near the station and the temple, great views and nice rooms make this one of the best hotels in Asakusa. - Asakusa Kokono Club Hotel
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
A short walk from Senso-ji Temple in the Asakusa district of northwest Tokyo, this hotel offers competitive rates and clean, relatively spacious rooms, some with good views. - Hotel Keihan Asakusa
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
A very solid business hotel that’s a step up from other business hotels in the area. A great location and rates at the bottom of the middle range. - Dormy Inn Express Asakusa
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Free ramen in the evenings, a rooftop sento (public bath) and free breakfast set this standard business hotel apart from others.
Budget Hotels in Asakusa and Ryogoku
- Asakusa Hotel Hatago
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
This great ryokan-style hotel is a short walk from the sights and Asakusa station and it’s got great Japanese-style rooms and a nice lounge/dining area with views over the river and the Sky Tree. - Toyoko Inn Asakusa Kuramae Kaminarimon
(View on Agoda.com)
Ultra-low rates, decent small rooms and interesting features like free breakfast and domestic phone calls make this a good choice in this bracket. - Asakusa Central Hotel
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Right on the main street in the middle of Asakusa, this is a standard business hotel with cheap rates and some ladies-only rooms. - Agora Place Asakusa
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
A basic business hotel near Tawaramachi subway station with rock-bottom rates. Recently renovated. - Super Hotel Asakusa
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
A good location, free breakfast and extremely reasonable rates make this hotel a good budget choice. - Hotel Sunroute Asakusa
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
A small, simple business hotel relatively close to the sights in Asakusa. Some of the lowest rates in town. - Hotel Kaminarimon
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Under renovation until 2019, when this place reopens, it will offer a great location and reasonable rates.
Guesthouses in Asakusa and Ryogoku
- K's House Tokyo Oasis
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
A super-social guesthouse not far from the sights with dorm rooms and private rooms and good common areas.
Nightlife in Asakusa and Ryogoku
- Asakusa Beer Kobo (formerly Campion Ale) (English-style brewpub)
This microbrewery serves excellent English-style ales. It's a super place for an evening out in Asakusa. - Popeye (beer bar)
This pub over in Ryogoku has more than 70 beers on tap and good food to wash it down with. Highly recommended.
Where Are These Places Located?
See these places on the Truly Tokyo Google map:- Open the Tokyo map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
Tokyo Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Tokyo guide
- Check Tokyo accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Tokyo
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Tokyo to Osaka and Tokyo to Hiroshima
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a Japan SIM card online for collection on arrival at Tokyo Narita or Haneda airports. Or rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Compare airline flight prices and timings for the best Japan flight deals. Check my guides to arriving at Narita Airport and at Haneda Airport.
- If you're visiting more than one city, you might save money with a Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- A prepaid Welcome Suica card makes travelling around Tokyo much easier - here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
