Asakusa

I recommend going in Spring during the cherry blossoms, and strolling along the river. There is takoyaki, ‘sakura’ flavor ice cream, and other fun festival food stands, taiko drummers, and ladies strolling in kimono along the riverbank. So much fun, especially if you’re still jet-lagged!

It’s touristy and bustling but a whole lot of fun. There are lots of tasty, quick places to eat while enjoying the little shops and stands. It a fun place to meet up with someone and browse around and talk. I had a lot of fun. I’d go back and blaze through if I had some extra time to burn or just was in the area. A world away from the gardens and museum and shrines but still worth a look if you like shopping, souvenirs or that busy scene.

It’s the cutest, kitschiest, most traditional part of Tokyo. Definitely check out the shrine and flea market.

We stayed in the Tokyo Ryokan, which is just around the corner from the popular Taito Ryokan. Beautiful little place, with plenty to do nearby (Karaoke, Sushi, Okonomiyaki, and Tenya = BEST TEMPURA! :D, Senso-ji, Water Taxis).

Also, really close to Akiba~ :)

It’s a little microcosm of Japan in one place – very interesting…

Asakusa is a must-do when travelling to Tokyo. The whole area if full of tourist crap, it’s always crowded and everything is overpriced, but it’s a must-do for Tokyo. Strangely enough I found my favourite part of Asakusa is the Asahi building… it’s one of the most unique pieves of architecture i’ve ever seen.

I loved the shrine, the long shopping stretch full of cheap and kitzy souvenirs, and the all-fugu all the time restaurant (see picture of the fish swimming outside the restaurant). Nothing like dining roulette!

The temple is nice, but the real treat is the long walk up to it lined with shops selling all kinds of traditional crafts and things. It’s kind of tourist-y and always incredibly crowded, but it’s still worth a couple of hours of your time in Tokyo.