In search of lost things....Asakusa, Tokyo

 I went in search of an Astro Boy store, leaving the rest of the family to relax at the hotel. I tore off, thinking I would whiz past the Sensoji Temple before hitting the shop and returning before dinner. But this was a day where things were not to go to plan.

Thankfully.

Arriving out of the train station, I realised it was quite different to other parts of Tokyo I'd visited so far, and more with the feel of Kamakura. The area itself is low rise and more of a historic feel. The Senoji temple is the oldest in Tokyo, and when you hit the temple area, you feel like you have stepped, if not back in time, perhaps out of time. A lot of people hire the kimono or other historic costumes. There are floods of tourists so you join the throng on Nakamise shopping street and just float with the crowd up towards the temple.

Cross the road from the station and enter through the Tunder Gate.

There are gardens and monuments the closer you get to the temple, and also you can get a fortune from a drawer for a price. If you like it, you keep it. If you don't, you can tie it on the alter and get another. I found that aspect quite charming, though mine was good so I wafted in some insense before continuing on my way.

To the side of the temple, there is the most charming garden, which then leads in the direction of the oldest amusement park in Japan, Hanayashiki (which apparently opened in 1853 as a flower park). I was on a mission so didn't stop, but found myself winding through 

The Shin-Nakamise and other covered shopping malls are great for souvenirs as lots of the shops have traditional crafts and trinkets, hair clips and other items. But no Astro-boy cafe. I keep looping around in case I was misreading google maps but every time would end up at the wrong shop. So I can only assume it didn't survive COVID and the tourist lockout. 

I loved that in this area, I would be trapped in a crowd of people but take one step up an alley and I was suddenly alone. It gave the place a very odd and magic feel, like I could step out of time. 

While I was disappointed, I was infact leaving with a much fuller wallet and had also managed to cover the area quite well, including seeing the historic theatre and little restaraunts that littered the area I was traversing in my search. It also gave me time to explore the area more fully, as I realised I could visit the more modern sights.

Moving quickly towards the river, I had time to explore the Asahi Super Dry Beer Hall and Tower up close (to see the gold of the tower and the Starke design in different light and angles).

That area has a lot of buildings from all  different eras, and with lots of interesting decorative detail.

There is also an art walk to enjoy or river cruises. The Tokyo Skytree also offers excellent views but alas I needed to return home.

I hope to return and perhaps stay in this area for a night or two as I think it would be a really fun base that changes a lot when the sun goes down.

All up I was probably gone for 3 and a half hours - I would allow at least half a day and one meal to really get the most out of it.

If you don't get to Kyoto and won't have time for Kamakura, then Asakusa should be top of your list for that Edo feel or just a really fun day out!

Practicalities:

Asakusa Japan Guide

Go Tokyo Asakusa

Further Reading

Tokyo Sunset

Asahi Super Dry Beer Hall

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