Asakusa is one of the few traditional quarters left in Tokyo. During the Edo period, it marked the Northern limit of the city. It was where the out-classed such as the prostitutes, yakusas and priests (as strange as it may seem) lived. Yoshiwara, the infamous pleasure quarter, was located in the Northern part of Asakusa, not far from Senso-ji Temple.
In the Meiji era, it was in Asakusa that the first Western imported entertainment were tested. That is where the first public cinema opened, where the first Western operas were shown (at the Imperial Theater) and that the first music hall and striptease clubs made their appearance.
Sightseeing
The most notable touristical attraction is the Senso-ji Temple (浅草寺). According to the legend, in 628 two fishermen found a 50cm high golden statue of the Buddhist goddess "Kannon" in the Sumida river. The county chief Haji Nakatomo errected a small construction to house the statue, which then became Senso-ji.
The temple was destroyed during the WWII bombings and the present building was reconstructed in 1950.
The Kaminari-mon Gate (雷門) near Asakusa station leads the way to the temple. It cannot be missed with its huge red lantern and two evil-looking protectors : Fuujin (風神, God of Wind) and Raijin (雷神, God of Thunder).
Don't miss the five-storeyed pagoda (五重塔) and Dempo-in (伝法院) Temple's beautiful gardens in the same complex as Senso-ji.
Asakusa remains a place of entertainment since do and Meiji. It still possesses a few cinema and striptease clubs, but hs otherwise evolved to funny-looking tiny amusement parks and conspicuous pachinko parlours.
Shopping
Most tourists visiting Asakusa will first encounter the small souvenirs shops along the Nakamise-dori, between Kaminari-mon and Senso-ji. It is the ideal place to look for traditional (imitations of) Japanese goods such as yukata, red lanterns, lacquer boxes or buddhist statues.
The Matsuya Department Store sits right above the Tobu-line Station. It lacks the glamour of its Ginza counterpart, but is still worth browsing.
The most notable touristical attraction is the Senso-ji Temple (浅草寺). According to the legend, in 628 two fishermen found a 50cm high golden statue of the Buddhist goddess "Kannon" in the Sumida river. The county chief Haji Nakatomo errected a small construction to house the statue, which then became Senso-ji.