A Visit to Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan

Entrance to Asakusa, Tokyo

 We planned to visit Mt.Fuji this morning, but we were too tired from our other day's activities, so we would do it the following day.

We changed our plan of places to visit.














Asakusa, a famous tourist attraction was on the agenda for our visit today.

We were in Tokyo in 2009 and visited Asakusa and we knew what to expect.















 It is a busy fun shopping, entertainment district  packed with shops that sell Japanese arts, crafts, traditional food and sweets and various items.

On our last visit, the place was so packed with people that we were shoulder to shoulder and we were literally moved by people behind us.

This time, it was still busy but it was not packed as before.

A Huge Roof Provided Much Needed Shade for Visitors

The place seemed less crowded because this outdoor shopping place has been expanded to include a huge roof with air conditioning providing visitors with some refuge from the scorching sun.

A Green Tea Ice Drink Booth Drew a Lot of Thirsty Customers

It was quite comfortable strolling along the car-less streets and sampling what the shops had to offer.

Many Interesting Traditional Shops Lined the Street

I always love taking my time looking at the items displayed and learning about the traditional arts and crafts there.

Many Displays Outside the Shops

But my husband could not stand my window shopping pace and he found a MacDonald and parked himself there while I went exploring the many interesting shops myself.

A Traditional Theater in Asakusa

" In the Edo period, this area was the most famous amusement quarter in the Edo city and was called "Okuyama"

A Costumed Staff Outside the Theater

 Many people came to see street performers and other spectacles here.

After the Meiji period the prosperous district moved to the west ares of Sensou-ji called "Asakusa Rokku: and it flourished as the most thriving entertainment downtown in Japan."








Asakusa is more than a shopping and entertainment district.

 It also is a place where a temple and a quiet beautiful garden can be found.

An Oasis in the Midst of a Big Busy City, Asakusa, Tokyo

In Japan, you  always see a temple or a pagoda no matter where you visit.

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What impresses us most has been the outstanding and very courteous services we have received from all staff in the service, retail , taxi and restaurant industry during our visits in the various cities.

The services we  received were outstanding such as this young fellow who served us an ice cream. We did not speak any Japanese but he tried his best to converse with us in English.

The best part of visiting Japan is when we meet friendly, fun and polite young Japanese on our visits. We also met other Japanese tourists and visitors from other countries  who were always ready to chat and help us out if we were lost or would like to have a picture taken with them such as these two beautiful girls in elegant kimonos in front of the ice cream shop.

We would like to thank you for a beautiful memory during our visit in Tokyo! You have made our journey so much more fun and memorable!

R.T.
Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan
Aug. 2013