東京 Tokyo - Asakusa 浅草
Close to Ueno - the first district of Tokyo that we've visited, was the neighborhood of Asakusa, where an atmosphere of the 'old Tokyo's survives.
Asakusa's main attraction is Sensoji, a very popular Buddhist temple built in the 7th century that enshrines the golden image of Kannon (the Buddhist goddess of Mercy).
The entrance to Senso-ji from Asakusa subway station is through Kaminarimon (the 'Thunder gate').
Kaminarimon is the first of two large entrance gates leading to Sensoji Temple and is the symbol of Asakusa. From Kaminarimon, Sensoji temple can be reached via Nakamise, a 250 meters shopping street that provides temple visitors with a variety of traditional specialties, local snacks and tourist souvenirs.
Perpendicular to the Nakamise Shopping Street runs Shin-Nakamise Shopping Street or "New Nakamise". Shin-Nakamise is a covered shopping arcade lined by various shops and restaurants where I bought my Ninja shoes (I had to!)
Another attraction are the Asahi Beer Tower and Asahi Super Dry Hall with its characteristic Flamme d'Or.
And last but not least, a twenty minute walk across the Sumida River from Asakusa stands the 634 meter tall Tokyo Skytree.
The Tokyo Skytree is a television broadcasting tower, and it is the tallest building in Japan and the second tallest structure in the world at the time of its completion. The highlight of the Tokyo Skytree is its two observation decks respectively located at heights of 350 and 450 meters.
The best time to visit Asakusa is either early in the morning or in the evening as Sensoji is even more beautiful at night!
