ASAKUSA
Asakusa is a district in Tokyo famous for Sensoji Temple also known as Asakusa Temple.
Asakusa is on the north-east fringe of Central Tokyo, in the Taito Ward. Asakusa is at the Eastern end of the Ginza subway line, less than 2km east of the major Ueno Station. Asakusa is most famous for the Sensoji Temple (sometimes referred to as Asakusa Temple). Refer to our Tokyo Map for the locations the stations and temples.
Sensoji Temple Asakusa.
ASAKUSA FESTIVALS
Sanja Matsuri is the largest festival in Tokyo and attracts around 2 million spectators. Sanja Matsuri is organised by the Asakusa jinja Shrine and is held annually on the third weekend in May. The main part of the festival is the procession known as Daigyoretsu, which consists of traditional dances, performers and musicians. During the following two days the mikoshi (portable shrines) are carried to and from Asakusa jinja Shrine as part of the purification ceremony for the shrine.
Asakusa Samba Carnival is reflection of the large migration of Japanese to Brazil over the years with many returning with the Brazilian cultural and in some cases partners. Asakusa Samba Carnival is a street parade in the style of Rio Carnival held on the last Saturday in August around Sensoji Temple.
ASAKUSA DISTRICT MAP
ASAKUSA ATTRACTIONS
ASAKUSA TEMPLES | |
Dempoin Temple is a Buddhist temple close to Sensoji Temple, in the Asakusa District of Taito Ward of Tokyo. Dempoin Temple is not normally open to the public, but it does contain a Japanese garden with a pond which has a design similar to Katsura Imperial Villa in Kyoto. | |
 | Gojunoto is the Five Story high Pagoda within the Sensoji Temple complex. Gojunoto is said to contain some of the ashes of Buddha. |
Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple, officially known as Jodoshin sect Higashi-honganji-ha Higashi-Honganji Temple, is a Buddhist temple of the Jodo Shinshu sect, in Asakusa District, Taito Ward central Tokyo. Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple was originally built in Kanda, Tokyo by Kyonyo, the 12th Priest of Higashi-Honganji, in 1651 and it was known as the Edo Gobo Kozuiji Temple. After a fire in 1657 Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple was moved to its current site in Asakusa and was called Asakusa Honganji Temple. Then in 1965, Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple changed its name again to Tokyo Higashi-Honganji Temple. After the conflict called 'Ohigashi Sodo', it went independent from Otani sect in 1981. | |
 | Hozomon is the gate leading to the Sensoji Temple. |
 | Dominating the entrance to the Sensoji Temple is the Kaminari-mon or "Thunder Gate". This imposing Buddhist structure features a massive paper lantern dramatically painted in vivid red-and-black tones to suggest thunderclouds and lightning. |
 | Sensoji Temple is an ancient Buddhist temple also known as Asakusa Temple. Sensoji Temple is Tokyo's oldest, and one of its most significant, temples. Sensoji Temple is in Asakusa District of Taito Ward Tokyo. |
ASAKUSA SHRINES | |
Asakusa jinja Shrine is a Shinto Shrine next to Sensoji Temple in the Asakusa District of Taito Ward of Tokyo. Asakusa jinja Shrine is dedicated to the three men who established Sensoji Temple. Asakusa jinja Shrine organises the largest festival in Tokyo, Sanja Matsuri, which attracts around 2 million spectators. Sanja Matsuri is held on the third weekend of May. | |
Chingodo Shrine is a Shinto Shrine next to Dempoin Temple's pond, in the Asakusa District of Taito Ward of Tokyo. Chingodo Shrine is dedicated to tanuki, the raccoon dog figure which is depicted in many traditional Japanese stories and myths. | |
ASAKUSA AMUSEMENT PARKS | |
Hanayashiki Amusement Park is close to Sensoji Temple, in the Asakusa District of Taito Ward of Tokyo. Hanayashiki Amusement Park is not outstanding by today's standards of amusement parks, but it is said to the be the oldest in Tokyo. | |
ASAKUSA SHOPPING | |
 | Nakamise-dori is lined with small shops selling omiyage (souvenirs) ranging from fans, ukiyo-e (woodblock prints), kimono and other robes, Buddhist scrolls and traditional sweets. This leads towards the Sensoji Temple. |
Author: Craig Fryer
