Japan: Day 8 : Asakusa

https://www.google.com.my/search?q=asakusa+tokyo&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=wvKCU7ajD4n78QWT4IKIDA&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAg&biw=1366&bih=624


We were all supposed to get down at Tawaramchi Station and walk back to Toyoko Inn Hotel.....

Tawaramachi Station (Tokyo) - Wikipedia, the free ...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tawaramachi_Station_(Tokyo)

Tawaramachi Station (田原町駅, Tawaramachi-eki) is a subway station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line in Taitō, Tokyo, Japan, operated by the Tokyo subway ...

......but the Japanese are such a stickler for punctuality that while some of us hopped off the train, the others found the doors closing on them before they could get off!!!! They were so stunned they could just wave at us as the train whizzed past!!!!

Hahaha!!! so they got off at ASAKUSA , the next stop, no matter, they were able to DO ASAKUSA!!!!


Once the pleasure district of Tokyo, today Asakusa is one of the best places in town to see the remaining traces of the city's historic past

Asakusa has now been surpassed by Shinjuku and other colorful areas in the city, in its role as a pleasure district.

TOKYO SKYTREE this year’s hottest spot in Tokyo

Sensoji Temple/Asakusa Kannon - 浅草寺／浅草観音

The Tokyo's oldest temple and a symbolic place of shitamachi in Tokyo. It was founded in 628. In the Edo-era (1603 - 1867), the shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu designated the temple as facility for government. It has valuable items such as painting on the ceiling or five-story tower

Asakusa (浅草^?) is a district in Taitō, Tokyo, Japan, famous for the Sensō-ji, a Buddhist temple dedicated to the bodhisattva Kannon. 

There are several other temples in Asakusa, as well as various festivals.

Sensoji

It's said that Sensoji is the oldest temple in Tokyo. Sensoji is also called Asakusa Kannon.
Address: 2-3-1 Asakusa Taito-ku, Tokyo

.The undisputed highlight of Asakusa is the temple of Sensō-ji, which houses a golden Kannon (the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy). According to legend the Kannon has been on the same spot for almost 1500 years, since 628 AD. Though, the present day temple only dates back to 1950. Sensō-ji and the area around gets very crowded on weekends and holidays.

Lining both sides of the approach way extending from the gate to Senso-ji Temple is Nakamise-dori shopping street.

Nakamise Street

It's a pedestrian mall leading to Senso-ji Temple from the Kaminari-mon. There are many shops selling traditional Japanese items and food  on both sides of the street. If you are looking for souvenirs, this is a good place to shop. For example, you can buy washi (Japanese papers), casual kimono, Japanese dolls, manekineko (beckoning cats), sensu (Japanese fan), and lots more. Visitors also have fun eating traditional Japanese snacks

 Just across the Sumida River stands the impressive Kaminari-mon Gate (Thunder Gate), with its large red lantern

Kaminari-mon Gate

It's a gate of Sensoji Temple. This gate with a huge red lantern is a famous landmark in Asakusa. The Chinese characters written on the lantern say "thunder" and "gate" (kaminari-mon).  

Tokyo Asakusa is a temple town, which flourished during Edo period and is one of the most popular tourist spots in Tokyo. 

Asakusa is Tokyo's oldest geisha district, and still has 45 actively working geisha. But all you can see on the streets are young Japanese girls!

Parking is a premuim and space like these cost an arm and a leg

There are traditional ryokan (guest-houses), homes, and small-scale apartment buildings throughout the district.

Green thumbs make even the dowdiest walkways look welcome

Blooms in pots everywhere

Because of its colourful location, downtown credentials, and relaxed atmosphere by Tokyo standards, Asakusa is a popular accommodation choice for budget travelers.

From Asakusa, they have walked back to out hotel : Toyoko Inn Tawamarachi.