Things to do in Asakusa, Tokyo

Tokyo's oldest temple, at the center of Asakusa.

"Tokyo's oldest temple, at the center of Asakusa."

The street from Kaminarimon gate to Sensoji, lined with Japanese sweets, street food and souvenir shops.

"The street from Kaminarimon gate to Sensoji, lined with Japanese sweets, street food and souvenir sh"

The place to soak up Japanese culture on Tokyo's east side. It is touristy, so the host suggests exploring the smaller streets and visiting on a Tuesday to avoid crowds.

"The place to soak up Japanese culture on Tokyo's east side. It is touristy, so the host suggests exp"

The thunderous red gate that marks the entrance to Sensoji.

"The thunderous red gate that marks the entrance to Sensoji."

A kitchen supply street between Ueno and Asakusa selling handcrafted Japanese cooking knives and tableware. You can even make plastic food samples.

"A kitchen supply street between Ueno and Asakusa selling handcrafted Japanese cooking knives and tab"

A long park along the Sumida River, a popular cherry blossom viewing spot.

"A long park along the Sumida River, a popular cherry blossom viewing spot."

A strip of casual drinking spots in Asakusa serving hoppy, a beer-flavored drink with shochu, alongside cheap food from stalls.

"A strip of casual drinking spots in Asakusa serving hoppy, a beer-flavored drink with shochu, alongs"

The Asahi building, designed to look like a beer mug with foam on top, where you can have a cold beer overlooking the city.

"The Asahi building, designed to look like a beer mug with foam on top, where you can have a cold bee"

Asakusa's retro amusement park, the oldest theme park in Japan, where a roller coaster sits next to a historic temple. You can see Sensoji from the free fall ride.

"Asakusa's retro amusement park, the oldest theme park in Japan, where a roller coaster sits next to "

A gritty Showa-era corridor beneath Asakusa Station with dim lighting, retro signage, old bars and noodle joints. Most tourists miss it.

"A gritty Showa-era corridor beneath Asakusa Station with dim lighting, retro signage, old bars and n"

A Kengo Kuma–designed building opposite Kaminarimon. Its free top-floor observation deck overlooks Nakamise, Sensoji and Skytree.

"A Kengo Kuma–designed building opposite Kaminarimon. Its free top-floor observation deck overlooks N"

Street crossing Nakamise that is designed to look like a street from the Edo era.

"Street crossing Nakamise that is designed to look like a street from the Edo era."

Popular street food stall selling addictive, juicy menchi katsu croquettes filled with a beef and pork mixture. Lines are common but move fast.

"Popular street food stall selling addictive, juicy menchi katsu croquettes filled with a beef and po"

Popular spot specialising in unagi rice balls, made with sauce-soaked rice and eel coated in a slightly sweet soy tare.

"Popular spot specialising in unagi rice balls, made with sauce-soaked rice and eel coated in a sligh"

Melon pan shop dating back to 1945, known for freshly baked, still-warm melon pan. One version comes stuffed with matcha ice cream.

"Melon pan shop dating back to 1945, known for freshly baked, still-warm melon pan. One version comes"

Norwegian-style café styled like a modern log cabin, with a second floor at this branch. It serves great coffee and Norwegian waffles with seasonal toppings.

"Norwegian-style café styled like a modern log cabin, with a second floor at this branch. It serves g"

Tea shop famous for matcha ice cream in seven strengths, including what it claims is the world's strongest. It also sells matcha-topped dango.

"Tea shop famous for matcha ice cream in seven strengths, including what it claims is the world's str"

A 2-hour sumo show where you get beer and a hot pot meal while veteran wrestlers demonstrate techniques and then fight three bouts. Audience members can put on sumo suits and wrestle at the end.

"A 2-hour sumo show where you get beer and a hot pot meal while veteran wrestlers demonstrate techniq"