Asakusa: 1400-year history exploration

based on 122 reviews

Duration:3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Location: Tokyo, Kanto

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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.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1.
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.
2.
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.
3.
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.
4.
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.
5.
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.
6.
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!
7.
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.
8.
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.

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Posted By : 471siennam
Amazing tour! Taka was an incredible tour leader, very educational and friendly. Taka spoke really good English - for those looking for an English tour!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-30 03:44:37

Posted By : Yerline_H
Our guide Sachi san is very knowledgeable and profesional. She explain detailly the history of Asakusa. Thank you Sachi san
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Posted On : 2024-06-28 09:20:15

Posted By : W7621MSnicoleg
We had a tour with Sachi. Sachi was so kind and patient as we navigated the heat and crowd. She was knowledgeable and thorough with her history of the Senso-ji Temple. I really enjoyed her company.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-19 19:23:37

Posted By : Marie_Q
Asakusa private guided tour with Sachi was an excellent way to explore this culturally rich area of Tokyo. Sachi was a knowledgeable guide that brought the areas history and culture to life, making the experience both educational and enjoyable for teenagers and adults alike. Sachi weaved legends associated with Asakusa, such as the story of the Senso-ji temple’s founding and mythical figures. This Storytelling approach keep our teenagers engaged and makes history more memorable.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-14 23:19:50

Posted By : Aaron_B
Absolutely loved this tour of the temples and shrines of Asakusa, and our guide was an absolutely lovely lady who happily answered our endless questions and narrated our tour in her own inimitable, effervescent style! Highly recommend this as a way to see the area and learn the history of not just the area but Buddhism and Shintoism as well
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-13 12:59:17

Posted By : 665eugenias
My son told me about the tour, so when we got there it was only the 2 of us. Private tour... wonderful, and it got to be the best, Mr Taka was an excellent tour guide, so knowledgeable and patient, even if we were more people, I will recommend him always... we left knowing so much more about wonderful Japan... thanks
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Posted On : 2024-06-03 04:07:23

Posted By : FellowTraveler679986
Yasu is an excellent guide and very knowledgeable about the history and culture of Japan. My wife and I enjoyed the tour very much. We give him our highest rating.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-31 06:35:27

Posted By : dpiethe
We spent a very pleasant and informative afternoon touring the Asakusa area with our guide Sachi. She provided us with just the right amount of historical background and folklore, all in a conversational manner. We toured areas of the Senso-ji complex that we probably would not have seen on our own. We drew our fortune (on a small piece of paper) at the omikuji counter and received good results! We ended our tour with an excellent cup of matcha tea. Thank you Sachi!
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Posted On : 2024-05-29 15:30:04

Posted By : dannykk2014
Met Yasu and he was friendly and very interesting to talk to.
A long 3.5hr tour (wear comfy shoes, a hat and bring plenty to drink) but very interesting non the less. Learned a lot of local history and was able to sample some local cuisine.
Yasu was a gentleman and I’d recommend this tour highly.
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Posted On : 2024-05-24 04:43:29

Posted By : I9443TRsamm
We enjoyed an extensive and detailed tour of the Asakusa area of Tokyo with Yasu. It was an absolute pleasure walking the streets, experiencing thw food and learning more about the history and culture of Japan.
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Posted On : 2024-05-16 03:31:05