A Cultural Welcome to Tokyo: Exploring Asakusa and Beyond

The Sensoji Temple

The ANA flight from Delhi landed ahead of schedule on the tarmac in The Land of the Rising Sun just as the first light of day broke. With time to spare before checking into our accommodation in Shinjuku, we decided to head straight to Asakusa, Tokyo’s cultural heartbeat. Leaving our luggage at the nearby Tourist Resort Centre, we were free to explore.

The Pagoda

Unfortunately, the much-anticipated Geisha Show, held on the first Saturday of every month, had been canceled. However, we were given alternatives—a hands-on Origami class, showcasing the intricate art of paper folding, or the thrilling Samurai Show later in the day.

Kaminarimon Gate

The streets were already bustling when we began our cultural exploration at the iconic Kaminarimon, or Thunder Gate, the grand entrance to the historic Sensoji Temple. The massive red lantern and imposing statues of the gods of thunder and wind stood as guardians to Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple. According to legend, in 628 AD, a fisherman discovered a statue of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, in the nearby Sumida River. In honor of this divine find, Sensoji Temple was built to enshrine it. Over the centuries, the temple has been rebuilt multiple times, yet its spiritual essence remains untouched.

At The Naakamise Street

The temple’s charm is further amplified by Nakamise Street, a vibrant 200-meter stretch lined with souvenir shops and street food stalls. As cherry blossom season had arrived early, delicate pink petals adorned the trees and peeked over storefronts, adding a magical touch to the already picturesque setting. We couldn’t have asked for a better welcome to Tokyo!

The Matcha Delicacies

After marveling at the temple’s pagodas and main hall, we wandered through the nearby Nishi Asakusa Market, a haven for matcha lovers. From chocolates and ice creams to traditional desserts, the variety of matcha-infused delights was overwhelming. 

The Matcha Brulee

The Matcha Crepes

Tempted by the aroma wafting from a cozy eatery, we indulged in a Matcha Crêpe Brûlée—a delicate matcha crepe filled with vanilla ice cream, topped with roasted pistachios, and caramelized to perfection. A truly heavenly treat!

As we explored further, we stumbled upon a lively gathering where Samurai performers were gearing up for a show. Soon, the air filled with the sounds of traditional music and the dramatic clashing of swords. The energetic performance, complete with sabre-rattling and battle sequences, was nothing short of spectacular, earning enthusiastic cheers from the audience.

The Tokyo Skytree and Golden Poo Building

Our final stop for the day was a short walk to the Sumida River, where we were greeted with stunning views of the Tokyo Skytree Tower, cherry blossoms swaying gently by the riverside, and the quirky Asahi Beer Hall, often referred to as the Golden Poo Building due to its distinctive design.

As the day’s adventures came to a close, we retrieved our luggage and headed to Shinjuku, where the dazzling neon lights transformed the cityscape into a dreamlike spectacle. This was just the beginning of our journey through Japan and Korea—more adventures to follow in the next posts!

PS; All pictures and videos are mine