Asakusa: 1400-year history exploration

Inclusions / Exclusions

Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Earphone Guide System to deliver the guide’s voice securely to each participant from distance.
English-speaking guide
Selection of Japanese sweet snacks (e.g. melon pan, rice dumpling, rice cracker, sweet puffed rice).

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks, except those specified

Overview

If you are interested in a folklore of two fisherman brothers who happened to have become founding fathers of Sesoji-temple 1400 years ago and Tokyo for that matter, this tour is for you. Enjoy the tour chock-ful of interesting stories around development of Asakusa and Tokyo. Specifically, we will demystify intriguing historical facts including: 1) Why Sumida river is an origin of Senso-ji temple 2) How Senso-ji temple and Asakusa developed hand in hand 3) How Asakusa has become a forerunner of Japan's modernization 4) How the culture that flourished in the area impacted the world Other important features of the tour are: 1) Use of headsets to hear the guide clearly even from a distance; applicable to a group of 3 or more. 2) Tasting Japanese sweet snacks just made in the back the shops. 3) Each group is limited to 8 participants.

Meeting points

Burger King Asakusa Azumabashi
Cross Bil Royal Palace, 2-chōme-20-6 Kaminarimon, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0034, Japan

Open in Google Maps

The meeting place is in front of a Burger King restaurant right next to Exit 4 of Asakusa subway station (G19) on the Ginza line. Please step outside when you reach Exit 4. See below for details. https://bit.ly/3KBlIr5

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Sumida River

Just as Asakusa’s history started by the Sumida river, so do our tours. Across the Azumabashi bridge, we will see Tokyo Sky Tree, Asahi Breweries' headquarters with its world-famous golden flame object.

15 minutes
Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center

From Sumida river, we will stroll to Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center. This is not not just a valuable source of sightseeing information, but one of Asakusa’s newest sightseeing attractions. This 8-story building, designed by a world famous Japanese architect, has a very striking structure with the appearance of a stack of separate wooden buildings that seem piled up on top of each other at different angles. From the open terrace Observation Deck on the 8th floor of the Center, we will have a preview of the entire tour course: not just Tokyo Sky Tree and Asahi Flame we have just seen but the landmarks we are going to see including Kaminarimon gate, Nakamise shopping street, Hozomon gate, Sensoji Temple, and more.

30 minutes
Asakusa Kaminarimon Gate

Kaminarimon gate ("Thunder Gate") is the outer of two large entrance gates that ultimately leads to the Sensō-ji temple. The gate, with its huge red lantern and statues, is popular among tourists. The guide will demystify this giant lantern and its surrounding objects.

15 minutes
Nakamise Shopping Street (Kaminarimon)

This shopping street connects Kaminarimon gate and Sensoji-temple's main gate. The 250 m approach is lined with a number of souvenir shops and food stalls. The guide will show you where to buy souvenirs you are interested in. The other fun part of strolling along it is that the guide will buy you traditional snacks in Asakusa; note that the guide may buy snacks in other places in the tour based on your preferences. Toward the end of this long street, we will see a history tablets on its side which depict how Asakusa started and developed around Sensoji-temple.

30 minutes
Hozomon

The Hōzōmon (Treasure-House Gate) is the inner of two large entrance gates that ultimately leads to the Sensō-ji temple (the outer being the Kaminarimon), Tokyo. A two-story gate, the Hōzōmon's second story houses many of the Sensō-ji's treasures. We will see two statues, three lanterns and two large sandals housed in the first story.

15 minutes
Senso-ji Temple

Between Hozomon gate and Sensoji's main hall, we have a lot to see and do. On the left, we will see Five-storied Pagoda the second highest (53m-high) pagoda in Japan built in 942. It holds Buddha's ashes on its top floor given by Sri Lankan goverment and buddhist society for goodwill between Sri Lanka and Japan. We will have three major things to observe or do before entering the temple's main hall. First: - You will draw omikuji, or paper fortune, to predict your future (included in the costs you have already paid). Second: - Most Japanese stop at the huge bronze incense burner to bathe their hands and faces in the smoke. This is a ritual to ward off illnesses-before climbing the stairs to offer their prayers. Third: - Water purification fountain which people use to purify themselves before going inside the temple. You will also see a famous sculpture perching on the fountain. We will now proceed to the main hall of the temple which is the climax of the tour. Look forward to what you will see and the guide will recount there!

45 minutes
Asakusa Shrine

To those familiar with religions,it is unfathomable that Busshist temple and shinto shrine coexist on the same premises and share both their origins and worshipers. In that sense, Asakusa shrine is not just another shinto shrine in Japan. The guide will tell you why and you will found how these two religions are ingrained in life of the ordinary Japanese.

15 minutes
Denboin Street

After the magnificence of Sensoji, we'll escape into the Rokku area: Asakusa's traditional entertainment district, always bustling yet rarely busy. Walk through the Meiji period into the present day (with stops along the way for more Japanese sweet snacks). Once a district of endless novelty — movies, comedians and exotic animals — Rokku passed through its glory days to become a quaint neighborhood of handicrafts and nostalgia. Through vivid descriptions of its complex, colorful history, you'll even see sights that aren't there to see anymore! Packed with cosy bars, eateries, and snack stands, as well as boutique shops for traditionally crafted goods of all kinds, the narrow, winding and wandering streets of Rokku will lead you through the other Asakusa experience.

45 minutes

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
We accept last-minute bookings until two hours prior to the tour start time.
The maximum group size is 8 people, to ensure proper hospitality
A moderate amount of walking is involved; please choose appropriate footwear
Operates in all weather conditions; please dress appropriately
Bottled water is recommended but vending machines are available
If you have special dietary or accessibility requirements, please contact us and we will do our very best to accommodate you
Children younger than 6 may join the tour without charge but will not be entitled to inclusions
Due to the historical focus of the tour, it is recommended for adults, but families are welcome

Free Cancellation

February 05100% refund

February 06No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Reviews

4.7

137 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

5 stars

115
4 stars

14
3 stars

2
2 stars

5
1 star

1

We perform checks on reviews

We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 115 reviews with 5 stars

Eye Opening History Lesson

Published on Dec, 2024

The tour was amazing cultural event. The small group allowed multiple questions t o be asked and answered

Great

Published on Dec, 2024

Sachi was punctual friendly patient and knowledgeable. Made the tour enjoyable. Answer our questions and explained in details. Would recommend this tour and the tour guide. Thanks Sachi

Excellent tpur

Published on Nov, 2024

Our guide was excellent she was very knowledgeable. We learnt so much about the history of the area, thoroughly enjoyed the tour.

Recommended!

Published on Nov, 2024

We had a great time touring Asakusa and getting to know some of its history! Taka was so kind and knowledgeable, and he recommended an amazing place for dinner nearby. I would definitely recommend this for anyone.

A fascinating walk through the many streets, laneways, markets and temples with our extraordinary guide, namely Taka.

Published on Nov, 2024

This walking tour is a great idea for an immersive Tokyo experience. It’s well paced and suitable for people of all ages.