Hotels in Asakusa, Tokyo

On the banks of the Sumida River north of Tokyo lies Asakusa, home to the capital's largest Buddhist temple, as well as several other Shinto shrines. Once a famed theater district back in Edo times, today it remains a fascinating historic area, with reconstructed traditional housing and covered shopping streets. Throughout the year this area celebrates matsuri (Shinto festivals) while in spring its riverbank is all aflame with pastel pinks as the cherry blossoms comes into full bloom.

Hotels in Asakusa

In the streets around the Sensōji temple you can still find a handful of traditional Japanese hostels, or ryokan. These are mostly affordable but somewhat basic, with shared facilities and lack of modern amenities. There are also some more luxury hotels in Asakusa, mostly a few blocks from the old town's core. The Gate Hotel Asakusa Kaminarimon lies right on Nakamise, the covered street that leads to the Sensōji temple. It gets excellent reviews for its location, service, and rooftop terrace. You'll find discount hotel rates in Asakusa offered at the APA Hotel Asakusa-Kuramae. This modern budget hotel has cleverly designed rooms that are praised by many in space-conscious Tokyo.

Things to see in Asakusa

Matters spiritual are the focus of the attractions here, starting with the Sensōji temple. The massive entrance to this Buddhist temple, with its giant lantern and statues of the gods of wind and thunder, is particularly awe-inspiring. Inside is an elegant, five-story pagoda and a garden for contemplation. There are several other shrines in Asakusa, the most notable being the Chingodo Shrine with its statue to Tanuki, a Shinto raccoon god. A sense of inner calm can be found away from the area's religious buildings, at Sumida Park. This strip of green alongside the Sumida River is lit up with delicate cherry blossoms each spring, one the most anticipated events in Tokyo's calendar. Lastly, no visit is complete without a stroll down the Nakamise covered shopping street. Partly this is because it's the best way to reach the Sensōji temple. But it is also because of its numerous stalls overflowing with Japanese souvenirs and traditional craft pieces

Good for couples

Asakusa, with its temples and shrines, parks and cherry blossom, makes for a perfection backdrop to a romantic Tokyo vacation. And unlike the in-demand hotels to be found in central Tokyo, accommodation in Asakusa is relatively affordable. That means more opportunity for special treats and romantic adventures. Couples can enjoy walks in the park along the River, while there are several of fantastic tempura and sushi restaurants to be discovered here. In the evenings, the echoes of Asakusa's entertaining past are remembered in the traditional rakugo performances, often held in theaters here.

How to get to Asakusa

Connections to Narita International Airport are excellent, with travel to Asakusa Station taking only an hour on the Narita Skyaccess line. This high-speed train can be caught from the airport at Terminal 2. A cab will be needed for the last leg of the journey to your hotel from Asakusa Station. The adjoining Asakusa Metro station lies at one end of Line G. It will get you into the central Tokyo Station in just 20 minutes. For the seeing the local sights, though, it's simple enough to travel around Asakusa on foot.