Today’s Tokyo stroll destination is Asakusa. Asakusa is a popular tourist spot for people coming to Japan and is always packed.

However, today’s weather forecast predicted rain! So Yuna and Ellie’s first stop on their Tokyo stroll was to buy umbrellas from Shinagawa.

Buying an umbrella at AEON in Shinagawa Seaside

Shinagawa Station is linked to the shinkansen and numerous airports, so you will find many people from inside and outside Japan waiting there. A convenient place to visit when in Shinagawa if you want something is the Shingawa Seaside branch of AEON.

The shopping complex can be reached in 10 minutes by bus or taxi. If you use Shinagawa Seaside Station it’s just a 5 minute walk.

When looking for somewhere that sells umbrellas to make being in the rain a bit more fun, Yuna and Ellie discovered “fururi,” a place that sells vinyl umbrellas with colourful designs that you can change – simply screw off the top of the umbrella frame, remove the vinyl sheet and replace it with whichever one you like.

There are 48 designs to enjoy with a 60cm umbrella.

Yuna chose a cute design that has blue and yellow water drops. Ellie went for a pink design. A colourful umbrella means turning that rain induced frown upside down. Asakusa is the place to go if you want something fight off the rain!

Eat and walk down Nakamise Shopping Street♪

As you come to the Kaminarimon Gate you must first press your hands together and bow before heading through to Nakamise Shopping Street. The street is lined with lots of shops selling all kinds of goodies from toys to food to souvenirs.

The first item Yuna and Ellie came across were little randoresu keyrings. This is most definitely the kind of souvenir you can only get in Japan. Ever since popular Hollywood actresses put out photos of themselves donning these backpacks, they have become popular overseas for their colourfulness and durability. There are even people who wear them as a fashion item.

The next treasure they found were the ‘daigaku imo’! Daigaku imo are candied sweet potatoes. The outside is crunchy and the outside is soft. They are deliciously sweet. You absolutely must try them if you come across them in Japan.

Approaching Sensō-ji

When you come out of Nakamise Shopping Street you will find yourself at Sensō-ji, Asakusa’s ancient Buddhist temple.

The first step to take when going to shrines and temples in Japan is washing your hands, which is called “temizuya.” Hold the ladle with your right hand and wash your left hand and vice versa. Take the ladle with your right hand and scoop some water. Pour the water into your left hand and rinse your mouth with it. Make sure to never bring the ladle to your mouth. Spit the water next to the fountain, never directly back into it. (Bonus: Check out our step-by-step guide to praying etiquette and shrines and temples in Japan.)

Subsequently, approach the main temple building. After praying, toss in a monetary offering. Then put your hands together and bow once. Since there is no shrine here you do not need to clap. Finally, perform a light bow to complete the prayer.

I wonder what those two were praying for. They look unusually serious.

There are lots of great places to take photos around Sensō-ji so be sure to have a good look around.

Tour Asakusa on a rickshaw

After their temple walk, Yuna and Ellie boarded a rickshaw to scope the Asakusa townscape. The rickshaws have a tarpaulin rain cover and lap blanket in case of rain so you can still have fun even when the weather is bad.

We recommend taking a photo at Dempoin Street when riding your rickshaw as pictured above! It’s a special kind of place that you can only find in Asakusa so be sure to take a memorable picture.

Did you enjoy Yuna and Ellie’s sightseeing trip to Asakusa? There’s lots of other amazing places to find in Asakusa too! We’ll be sure to post about them here on MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON so stay tuned.

Models: Yuna Yabe, Ellie

Photo: Kayo Sekiguchi

Writer: Sayuri Mizuno (ASOBISYSTEM)

Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga

Introducing: Randoseru

We’d like to introduce to you the randoseru bags used in today’s article which both Yuna and Ellie modelled for in a Narita tourism article. As mentioned above, the Japanese randoseru, firm backpacks made from leather or leather-like material, are recognised as a fashion item overseas. The randoseru used in today’s article were are the 24 colour randoseru and 3STYLE randoseru from AEON.

Yuna: 24 Colour Randoseru (Burgundy) – ￥35,000 (tax excl.)

Ellie: 3STYLE Randoseru (Caramel) – ￥48,000 (tax excl.)

The 3STYLE randoseru can be used as a shoulder bag or handbag. If you’re interested in either of their randoseru, then be sure to pop into your nearest AEON store.

AEON.com: https://www.welcome-aeon.com/

At the heart of Tokyo’s shitamachi is Asakusa, a district that lives and breathes history and tradition with its pronounced Edo spirit. It’s also a popular sightseeing location for tourists. Every year, 30 million people roll up to see the symbolic sights of Tokyo’s ancient district, including the Sensō-ji temple and Kaminarimon, or “Thunder Gate.”

In this article, we’re going to recommend 5 hotels within 5-minutes’ walking distance from Asakusa Station. Be sure to find the perfect and most convenient hotel for you.

THE GATE HOTEL Kaminarimon by HULIC

yunnnnさん(@y_unjae)がシェアした投稿 – 2月 14, 2018 at 3:24午前 PST

This hotel is just 2-minutes on foot from Asakusa Station’s exit. Its stylish design is truly eye-catching. You can see Tokyo Skytree – the tallest tower in the world – from the glazed front floor lobby on the 13th floor. You can also get a full view of the Asakusa’s neighbourhood from the rooftop terrace, as well as Skytree, while enjoying a meal. We recommend this one for people looking for a good view from their hotel.

Richmond Hotel Asakusa

タカマツさん(@bob.chaina)がシェアした投稿 – 2月 10, 2018 at 6:32午前 PST

This is business hotel is located about 3-minutes on foot from Asakusa Station’s A1 exit. The hotel won first place in SPRING’s 2015 business hotel category. The entire building is fitted with Wi-Fi and there are ethernet ports and printers that can be used for free, and every room has electrical outlets. The front desk operates 24-hours a day and there is also baggage storage, as well as microwave ovens on the 6th floor that can be used for free. This one’s recommended for people seeking out a hotel with lots of amenities.

Asakusa View Hotel

ゆうかさん(@yukaa47)がシェアした投稿 – 12月 13, 2016 at 8:15午前 PST

The Tsukuba Express Line and Asakusa Station are directly connected to this sleek, high-rise hotel which stands 28 stories high and has 3 basement floors. Choose from a wide range of different rooms including traditional Japanese rooms, rooms with a fantastic view, rooms with luxurious bedding and amenities and more. The 26th floor is home to the Sky Grill Cafe & Bar where you can tuck into a delicious breakfast while overlooking the town. If you’re searching for a top grade hotel in Asakusa then look no further.

Asakusa Hotel Hatago

novnov_twistinさん(@novnov_twistin)がシェアした投稿 – 9月 3, 2014 at 7:35午前 PDT

Feel the charm of traditional Japan at Asakusa Hotel Hatago, situated about 2-minutes by foot from Asakusa Station via the Toei Asakusa Line. All rooms are fitted with traditional tatami flooring, allowing you to relax barefoot in a room that will heal your mind and body. The Japanese style beds are manufactured by Simmons and rooms are equipped with a humidifier and air purifier. The real treat of staying at this hotel is sleeping in a Japanese-style room with traditional bedding. There’s even sliding doors and Japanese-style writing desks, as well as traditional wallpaper, which will give you that Edo feeling. Those looking to stay traditional on their Japanese trip should consider this option.

 Hotel Kaminarimon

HARさん(@har__310)がシェアした投稿 – 3月 7, 2015 at 4:03午後 PST

Hotel Kaminarimon is a long-standing 4 story hotel just 1-minute from Asakusa Station via the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line. The hotel is right beside Asakusa’s famous sightseeing spot Kaminarimon – the “Thunder Gate”. From the hotel, you can also see the lights of Nakamise-dori’s shops. There’s plenty of English guidance provided by the hotel, making it a popular destination for foreigners. The rooms are a little small, but they have a real at-home vibe, and you can feel the owner’s care that has gone into the hotel. We recommend Hotel Kaminarimon for people that want to be close by the sightseeing spots.

Khaosan Tokyo Laboratory

쿵이さん(@yamayama1103)がシェアした投稿 – 12月 23, 2014 at 6:02午後 PST

This cheap hostel is aimed at backpackers, offering a stylish space and based around the concept of being Japan’s most affordable and comfortable hostel. You’ll find it just 5-minutes on foot from Asakusa Station. They have a diverse selection of rooms including rooms perfect for families of 3-4 people, female dormitories with bunk beds, and shared male and female dormitories with bunk beds. It’s cheap to stay there and it’s super clean. You don’t need to worry about your wallet drying up here.

Was this list helpful? Be sure to pick out the best option for you so you can conveniently spend a nice relaxing time in Asakusa after a day out.

On the 5^th of October 2017 (Thurs.), a hostel called “BOOK AND BED TOKYO” which was created under the concept of “a book store where customers can stay overnight” is going to be opened in Asakusa Kaminarimon. They have started to receive reservations from the 29^th of September – afternoon (Fri.).

As with the Ikebukuro branch shop which was opened in 2015, the graphic design of this new facility was undertaken by “Soda design,” the interior design was undertaken by “SUPPOSE DESIGN OFFICE” and the book selection was undertaken by “SHIBUYA PUBLISHING & BOOKSELLERS（SPBS）.” It is a dreamy place where you can read books and fall asleep.

The very popular pajama brand, NOWHAW has designed its fourth original pajama with the concept of “mappitatsu” (right in half) in time for the opening of the Asakusa shop.

The pajamas will be sold on the official website and at the Asakusa shop(limited quantity) and the users of the facilities can also rent these pajamas.

The “Daytime Plan” where customers can use the facility during daytime will be started from the 6^th of October (Fri.).

Let’s experience a dreamy book-reading time right in the middle of Tokyo’s popular sightseeing spot – Asakusa!