Looking for the best way to spend a day in Asakusa? Here's a recommended sightseeing route. Alongside classic spots like Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise Shopping Street, we'll also share the latest gourmet finds! This itinerary can be completed between 11:00 and 17:00.
Information current as of August 2025. As shop details may have changed, please check opening hours and operating days before visiting.
Asakusa Sightseeing: One-Day Model Course (11:00–17:00)
11:00 Kaminarimon Gate
Starting from Kaminarimon Gate
Start your Asakusa sightseeing at Kaminarimon! First, let's meet at Kaminarimon.
Taking commemorative photos under the giant red lantern is the standard route.
Then, passing through the gate, we head towards Sensoji Temple.
The street from Kaminarimon Gate to Senso-ji Temple is called Nakamise-dori. It is lined with numerous shops where you can buy food to eat as you walk and souvenir shops.
Gourmet in Nakamise Street (Approx. 11:00–12:00)
Nakamise Shopping Street, leading from Kaminarimon Gate to Senso-ji Temple. Numerous shops line both sides.
Here's a shop located on that Nakamise Street. It's likely to be quite crowded, so if you can get hold of it, do buy it.
Sweet Rice Dumpling Speciality Shop: Kanmi-Mitsuya
30 seconds on foot from Kaminarimon Gate
The shiratama sweet shop where queues form daily
The shiratama dumplings are delightfully chewy, each one large and delicious.
Popular items include the “Strawberry Shiratama Daifuku” (¥500) and “Mitarashi” (¥1300).
The selection changes with the season and day, with items like agar-based ice lollies appearing during the hotter months.
With its adorable appearance, it's currently trending on Instagram, particularly among those who love shiratama and foreign visitors.
The famous “Shiratama Handbox” is also available for takeaway.
- ”Kanmi-Mitsuya" in Nakamise Street Shop
- Regular closing day: Irregular closing days
- Opening hours: 11:00–18:00 *Closes once sold out
- URL：https://www.instagram.com/kanmi_mitsuya/
Souvenir Shop Sanbido
Just a thirty-second walk from the shop mentioned earlier lies Sanbidō, an established shop founded 84 years ago.
We stock a wide range of traditional Japanese lucky charms, including masks and figurines.
Small fox masks and incense-burning daruma figurines are popular, and it is always bustling with tourists.
To commemorate your visit to Asakusa, buying a lucky charm is highly recommended!
The top two can be reached consecutively whilst walking along Nakamise Street.
Sensoji Temple 12:00–13:00
We passed through Nakamise Street and arrived at Senso-ji Temple.
In the main hall, bathe in the incense smoke and draw a fortune slip to fully savour the essence of Asakusa.
In fact, the probability of drawing an “ill fortune” omikuji at Sensoji Temple is quite high at 30%.
Other shrines average between 10 and 20 per cent, so this is comparatively high.
It is therefore popular as a spot to try one's luck.
The grounds of Senso-ji Temple contain numerous cultural heritage buildings, allowing visitors to experience Japan's history and faith firsthand.
The adjacent Asakusa Shrine (Sanjaya) is also a very fine shrine, so do pay it a visit.
Tips for avoiding crowds
・Senso-ji Temple is one of Tokyo's most bustling spots, attracting approximately twice as many visitors at weekends as on weekdays.
・If possible, aim to visit on weekdays or during the early morning (the main hall opens at 6 a.m.) or late afternoon.
Specialist Fried Bread Shop 『Age.3 ASAKUSA』 13:00～
A one-minute walk from Senso-ji Temple
Specialist fried sandwich shop!
The signature fried sandwich has gone viral on social media with its colourful appearance, garnering over 70 million views.
A menu item featuring cream or ice cream sandwiched between fried bread. Essentially, it's a deep-fried version of a hot sandwich.
The fried bread is rather light and tasty.
The most popular items include Crème Brûlée (¥850) and Juicy Melon (¥850). Hearty meals such as Napolitan pasta are also available.
- Age.3 ASAKUSA
- 2-7-22 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
- Opening hours: 11:00 - 19:00
- URL：https://www.instagram.com/age.3_asakusa/
Micro Pig Café “mipig cafe Asakusa Branch” 14:00 onwards
Come and interact with adorable piglets!
A rather unusual piglet café where you can interact with little pigs. It only opened in March 2025.
Here you can interact with British-bred miniature micro pigs. The usage fee is from ¥2,200 for 25 minutes.
Over a hundred people visit daily, seeking solace in the adorable sight of the little piglets.
You can also feed them. If you're looking for a slightly unusual experience in Asakusa, do give it a try.
- mipig cafe Asakusa Branch
- Château Amour 2F 1-36-11 Asakusa Taito-ku Tokyo
- Opening hours: 9:00 to 19:00
- Reservations: Advance booking via the website
- URL：https://mipig.cafe/locations/asakusa/
Whale Restaurant “Whaling Ship” 15:00～
Popular in Japan's entertainment circles!
Whale-themed izakaya 'The Whaling Ship'
This establishment is renowned as a regular haunt of the world-famous entertainer Takeshi Kitano since his early days.
The line ‘At the whale restaurant where only stew is served’ from Kitano's song “Asakusa Kid” refers to this very establishment. Inside the shop, numerous autographs from entertainers are displayed.
Popular menu items are ‘Beef Stew (¥680)’ and ‘Chūhai (¥500)’.
In these times of high prices, this pricing is most welcome. It's said that Takeshi Kitano himself often ate these two dishes when he was starting out.
The walls are covered in autographs from comedians, so comedy fans won't be disappointed if they come along.
During filming for the Japanese television programme ‘Ravit’, the famous Japanese comedian Reiwa Roman and a New York sign were added.
- whaling ship
- 2-4-3 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
- Seating capacity: 25 seats
- https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1311/A131102/13035269/
Tile-Breaking Kawara-na 16:00～
This is another rather unusual spot. It's “Kawara-wari Kawara-na”, where you can try your hand at breaking tiles.
This tile-breaking activity is hugely popular right now as a great stress reliever! It's also fun to post on social media.
The average number of tiles an adult male can break is around eight, while for women it is around four.
Tile breaking is only possible here. Do give it a try!
- Tile-breaking Kawara-na
- 2-27-17 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0032
- https://kawarana.jp/
Oribe Sukiyaki 17:00
As we're starting to feel peckish, here's our favourite spot: “Sukiyaki Oribe”.
Limited to just two parties per day! A high-end sukiyaki restaurant featuring the legendary Iga beef.
Established in 1966. Beloved by numerous celebrities, including Mr Nakamura Kanzaburō.
Enjoy sukiyaki made with rare Japanese beef that is scarcely available on the market. The flavour is guaranteed!
※Private rooms only, by appointment only! Please note that you may have to wait several months.
- Sukiyaki Oribe
- 3-37-3 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
- https://asakusa-oribe.com/
Otherwise, Asakusa's latest gourmet and sweet spots
There are many other popular establishments besides those mentioned above. Here are some recommended gourmet spots that have recently opened.
If it's too busy to get in, why not try this other establishment instead?
MARUZEN Tea Roastery Asakusa
A two-minute walk from Kaminarimon Gate
MARUZEN Tea Roastery Asakusa: Enjoy sweets crafted by a specialist Japanese tea shop
Particularly popular is the ‘Double Matcha Mont Blanc’ (¥990), which has been featured on television.
We generously spoon matcha-infused chestnut paste over matcha gelato.
A café where you can enjoy tea culture with all five senses.
- MARUZEN Tea Roastery Asakusa
- 1-36-2 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo Tōshin Building, 1st & 2nd Floors
- URL：https://www.instagram.com/matcha_asakusa_maruzen
BUTTER JUWER
A two-minute walk from Kaminarimon Gate
BUTTER JUWER, a shop with many unusual menu items
This shop specialises in innovative butter crepes and manur bread.
The most popular item is the “Asakusa Monja Butter Crepe” (¥800), featuring mentaiko monja wrapped inside a crepe.
They also sell many other crepes with unusual flavours.
Why not try our savoury crepes, perfect for eating with one hand?
- BUTTER JUWER
- 1-36-4 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
- 9:00am–6:00pm ※Opens as soon as preparations are complete
- Regular closing days are subject to change.
- URL：https://www.instagram.com/butterjuwer_jp/
