I chose to stay in Asakusa because it’s a part of Tokyo’s cultural heritage map. I am all for Japanese culture. It took me some time to decide where to stay in Tokyo, from a Tokyo apartment Airbnb to a quirky capsule hotel, but in the end, I decided on a ryokan in Asakusa.
Asakusa Senso-ji Temple
The oldest shrine in Tokyo with two huge gates called Thunder Gate and Treasure House Gate. Each gate has a huge lantern painted in red with black calligraphy painted on it.
Eating in Asakusa
There are plenty of good restaurants in Asakusa, from sushi joints to ramen shops. On our second day in Asakusa, we visited the neighbourhood stall for a bowl of ramen, a staple in Japanese food culture.
Time to come clean: I had never eaten ramen before in Japan, and I have been in love with it ever since. It involves a vending machine to place your order, modifiable to your liking (the gravy, the add-ons, etc.), and it has a minimalist atmosphere for eating a delicious meal in a restaurant. It’s perfect fun!
Asakusa Nakamise Shopping Street
I also like Asakusa because the main shopping area in front of Sensoji temple is filled with stores that sell little Japanese trinkets. It’s one of the places to buy Japanese souvenirs in Tokyo. After an hour or so of exploring the area and failing to find the lightsaber chopstick my cousin asked me to get, it’s time to stop for a short rest and some snacks.
First I got pagoda-shaped mini-pastries and dragon-shaped waffles. A few turns and I saw the Ginza Renoir cafe. Who doesn’t like the idea of having an iced mocha with jelly and ice cream on top? Especially on such a hot day.
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