Choose from 200 Fun Things to Do in Japan
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Danjo Garan Temple
The Danjo Garan is the central temple complex of Japan's sacred Mt Koya temple town, and an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The complex is comprised of about 20 buildings, including several temples, the ceremonial Kondo Hall, and a 147-foot (49-meter) red pagoda housing five statues of the seated Buddha. The massive pagoda, called The Great Stupa, has been home to practicing monks for over 1,000 years, and the Danjo Garan as a whole is revered as the center of Shingon Buddhism.
While Mt Koya was once a hard-to-reach destination, today you can visit the sacred location and its temples on a day trip or overnight visit from Osaka. To get the most out of your visit, consider touring Danjo Garan Temple and Okunoin graveyard on a two-day trip that includes an overnight stay in a temple with a hot spring.
Practical Info
The Garan complex is open daily from 8:30am to 5pm. It is free to wander, but you’ll have to pay a small entrance fee to enter The Great Stupa. Admission is JPY 200.
The complex is located in Koyasan town center on Mt Koya, which is about a two-hour drive from Osaka. The site is accessible by rail, cable car and bus.
Did you know? According to local legend, the founder of Shingon Buddhism threw a ceremonial tool from his location in China to determine the location of his religion's headquarters. When he returned to Japan, he found his tool caught in a pine tree and began to build Danjo Garan Temple.
Address: 152 Koya-san, Koya-cho, Japan
Hours: 8:30am–5pm
Admission: ¥200
From $ 225
Beni Fuji no Yu Onsen
The Beni Fuji no Yu Onsen offers some of the best vantage points in the area. The large public bathhouse has both indoor baths and two rooftop ones, but no matter which pool you’re in, the views of Mt Fuji are stunning. The ones on the roof boast views of a zen garden and trees, as well as the majestic cone-shaped peak of Fuji in the distance. The outdoor baths are arguably best in the winter, when the hot, therapeutic water complements the cold air and snow-capped peak.
The onsen offers guests a multitude of services in addition to the baths. A restaurant serves local cuisine, while visitors can also purchase massages and beauty treatments. There is enough to do within the onsen that many people choose to spend an entire day here, making the unassuming onsen a true highlight of a trip to the Mt Fuji area.
Practical Info
The onsen is open all year round, and all baths are separated by gender. It is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and from 6 a.m. on weekends and holidays in December through March. Admission costs 700 yen (about $7 USD), and the closest metro station is Fujisan Station on the Fujikyuko Line. Many tour buses offer stops at this onsen.
Address: 401-0501 Yamanashi Prefecture, Yamanakoka, Japan
Hours: Weekdays: 10am-9pm; Weekends: 6am-9pm
Admission: Adults 700 Yen
From $ 84
Akihabara
Akihabara, also called Akihabara Electric Town, is the go-to district in Tokyo for electronics, anime and manga products. Hundreds of electronics stores line the neighborhood streets, selling everything from computer parts to home goods and ranging in size from small stalls to mainstream chains. North of Akihabara Station sit stores selling video games, popular manga comic books, card games, costumes and souvenirs.
In recent years, Akihabara has become famous for its "otaku" culture, or diehard anime and manga fans. It is a great place to people-watch and see "cosplay," short for costume play, in which fans dress up as their favorite characters in anime and manga. Numerous maid cafes are found in this area as well, where you’ll find a dining experience in which the servers dress as maids and other characters. The streets of Akihabara are decorated with manga and anime images, and the neighborhood is designed to make visitors feel as if they are wandering through an actual comic or animated production.
Practical Info
Chuo Dori serves as the main street through the commercial Akihabara district. This street is closed to vehicles from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. from October through March and until 6 p.m. from April through September. Many of the electronics sold in Akihabara are intended for use in Japan only due to the voltage requirements and other technical differentiators. Foreigners who make purchases over 10,000 yen ($100 USD) may be required to show a passport. Akihabara Station can be reached on the JR Yamanote, Keihin-Tohoku and Sobu lines, while it can also be accessed from the Tsukuba Express and the Hibiya subway line.
Address: Akihabara, Tokyo, Japan
From $ 54
Chidorigafuchi
During springtime, the parks and green spaces in Tokyo and around Japan come to life with colorful pink blossoms. Springtime is cherry blossom season, and for the best viewing in the city, head to Chidorigafuchi. With walkways, bridges, pavilions and boats plying the waters of the surrounding moat, there are plenty of places to view the spectacle in April when the sakura cherry trees bloom.
Located along the edge of the Imperial Palace moat, Chidorigafuchi is also home to a National Cemetery where the remains of the thousands of unknown Japanese soldiers who died in World War II were laid to rest.
Early April typically represents the peak of cherry blossom season, but in the days and weeks following, it often appears to be snowing as the trees begin to drop their blossoms. Even if you can’t make it during springtime, the park makes for a pleasant green escape from the city throughout the year. From here you can tour some of the gardens of the Imperial Palace or rent a boat from the Chidorigafuchi Boathouse and row on the moat.
Located along the edge of the Imperial Palace moat, Chidorigafuchi is also home to a National Cemetery where the remains of the thousands of unknown Japanese soldiers who died in World War II were laid to rest.
Early April typically represents the peak of cherry blossom season, but in the days and weeks following, it often appears to be snowing as the trees begin to drop their blossoms. Even if you can’t make it during springtime, the park makes for a pleasant green escape from the city throughout the year. From here you can tour some of the gardens of the Imperial Palace or rent a boat from the Chidorigafuchi Boathouse and row on the moat.
Address: Japan
From $ 100
Disneyland Tokyo
Tokyo Disneyland opened to the public in 1983, making it the oldest Disney theme park outside of the United States. The park is modeled after the original in Anaheim, and you’ll find its rides and attractions spread out over seven themed areas.
World Bazaar serves as the entryway into the park and is similar to Main Street USA in other Magic Kingdom Parks, an area dominated by shops and restaurants. Adventureland is home to popular attractions like the Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean. Westernland, similar to Frontierland in other parks, has an Old West theme with rides like Big Thunder Mountain and the Mark Twain Riverboat. Critter Country, one of the park’s smaller areas, has only one ride, Splash Mountain. Fantasyland, Toontown and Tomorrowland are all nearly carbon copies of the same areas in the US.
While most of the park’s attractions can be found at other Disney parks, Tokyo Disneyland has one unique ride, the Western River Railroad, which takes guests on a tour of Critter Country, Westernland and Adventureland. Tokyo DisneySea, a new park that opened in 2001, is exclusive to Japan.
World Bazaar serves as the entryway into the park and is similar to Main Street USA in other Magic Kingdom Parks, an area dominated by shops and restaurants. Adventureland is home to popular attractions like the Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean. Westernland, similar to Frontierland in other parks, has an Old West theme with rides like Big Thunder Mountain and the Mark Twain Riverboat. Critter Country, one of the park’s smaller areas, has only one ride, Splash Mountain. Fantasyland, Toontown and Tomorrowland are all nearly carbon copies of the same areas in the US.
While most of the park’s attractions can be found at other Disney parks, Tokyo Disneyland has one unique ride, the Western River Railroad, which takes guests on a tour of Critter Country, Westernland and Adventureland. Tokyo DisneySea, a new park that opened in 2001, is exclusive to Japan.
Practical Info:
Routes to take by transit: JR Keiyo Line and JR Mushashino Line (at Maihama Station).
Address: Tokyo Disneyland, Urayasu, Maihama, Chiba Prefecture, Japan
Hours: Daily 10am - 11pm.
Admission: Prices vary per age, time of day, and group.
From $ 81
America Mura
If you want to put your finger on the pulse of Osaka street culture, plan to spend an evening wandering the streets of America Mura, a district near Shinsaibashi. In the 1970s, the neighborhood began filling up with shops selling imported goods from the United States, earning it the name America Mura, or “American Village.”
Today, America Mura serves as one of Osaka’s prime fashion centers, a place where the city’s youth congregates, often sporting some of Japan’s more creative fashions. A collection of record stores, vintage clothing shops and boutiques sell a little bit of everything, from J-pop club wear to gothic styles, but the main appeal of the area is the opportunity it provides for people-watching.
America Mura is at its most lively at night, when the bars, clubs, live music venues and street food stalls open up. Visitors will find takoyaki (octopus balls), a popular Osaka street food, throughout the neighborhood.
Practical Info
Shinsaibashi Station is the closest subway station to America Mura, only about a three-minute walk away. The site can also be reached by way of a seven-minute walk from Namba Station.
Address: Shinsaibashi District, Osaka, Japan
From $ 85
Aokigahara Forest
The eerily quiet Aokigahara Forest calls out for lost souls. This forest, situated at the northwest base of Mount Fuji, has a long and storied history in Japanese mythology as a place of evil, demons, and paranormal activity. It’s not all ancient history, though; today, Aokigahara Forest sees more suicides per year than anywhere in the world other than the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
The forest has several nicknames, including the “Sea of Trees,” and – less flatteringly, “Suicide Forest.” Locals around the area say that people come into the forest for three reasons: hikers looking to see the splendid ice caves that dot the deep forest floor; people attracted to the stories and looking to see the carnage for themselves; and those people who do not plan to return. Suicide has become such a problem in the Aokigahara Forest that local authorizes have taken steps to curb it. There are signs throughout the forest encouraging those who have lost hope to reconsider, and security officers frequently patrol the park. The creepy Aokigahara Forest is a destination of mythological proportions.
Practical Info
Aokigahara Forest looks serene from above. The dense trees look up to the grand peak of Mount Fuji. Hikers should be extra careful here; large deposits of magnetic iron in the volcano’s soil are known to skew compasses, making orientation in the forest challenging. Despite the macabre lore, the Forest is a beautiful, unique hiking destination. From Tokyo, the Forest can be reached by the bullet train within a few hours.
Address: Aokigahara Forest, Japan
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
From $ 59
Chitose River
The Chitose River in Hookaido flows from Lake Shikotsu before eventually joining the Ishikari River past the city of Ebetsu. For visitors to Sapporo, the Chitose River offers myriad opportunities for outdoor recreation amidst the natural beauty of the region.
The gently flowing waters of the river are ideal for canoeing and kayaking, though you won’t find any rushing rapids. Sport fishing enthusiasts will find kokanee salmon, rainbow trout and whitespotted char in the waters of the river. Nature lovers looking to learn more about the ecology of the Chitose River can so just that at the Chitose Salmon Aquarium. This freshwater facility overlooking the river features native species, like salmon, in massive, lifelike tanks.
On shore, paths and trails through the countryside along the banks of the river offer the perfect setting for horseback riding and cycling in summer, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling in winter.
Practical Info
The town of Chitose, the jumping off point for exploring the river, lies 27 miles (44 kilometers) southeast of Sapporo.
Address: Sapporo, Japan
From $ 91
Chion-in
The classically curved eaves, ceremonial steps and oversized two-story gateway mark Chion-in Temple as something special, even in temple-filled Kyoto.
The main temple of the Jodo school of Buddhism, Chion-in is a very grand affair, focusing on the huge main hall and its image of the sect’s founder, Hōnen. Another building houses a renowned statue of the Buddha.
The beautiful temple gardens are a sight in their own right, threaded with stone paths, steps and Zen water gardens. The view from the Hojo Garden is particularly worth catching.
Practical Info
Chion-in is north of Maruyama Park in southeast Kyoto. Buses run to Chion-in from the city center, and the closest train station is a 10-minute walk away at Higashiyama.
Address: 400 Hayashi-shita-cho 3-chome, Kyoto 605-0062, Japan
Hours: Open daily Mar - Oct: 9am - 4:30pm; Nov - Feb: 9am -4pm. Not all buildings open to the public
Admission: ¥400
From $ 27
Daitoku-ji Temple
A large walled temple complex, a visit to Daitoku-ji in northern Kyoto reveals ancient sub-temples and many traditional Zen gardens. The main Daitoku-ji temple sits on the eastern side of the grounds. This structure was built in 1319, although it was destroyed in a fire in the next century and rebuilt again in the 16th century. Also on the east side of the complex are the Butsuden Hall, Hatto Hall, Hojo Residence, and the famous Sanmon Gate featuring a statue of the tea-master, Sen no Rikyu.
There are many sub-temples within the complex, but only a few of these are open to the public on a regular basis, including Ryogen-in, Zuiho-in, Daisen-in, and Koto-in. Those particularly interested in Japanese gardens should not miss the beautiful Daisen-in rock gardens, which wrap around the temple building and date back to the beginning of the 16th century. Elsewhere, Koto-in was established in 1601 and features a garden considered to be a masterpiece in simplicity that is famous for its canopy of maple trees, which are particularly stunning in the fall.
There are a number ways to experience Kyoto’s ancient temples and traditional gardens, with various day trips from Osaka and Tokyo. One of the best ways to explore this side of Japan’s history and culture is on a Kyoto bike tour, where you can discover other religious shrines and temples in the area, such as Kinkakuji and the Kitano Tenmangu Temple.
Insider’s Tip: The Daitoku-ji temple complex is one of the best places in Japan to see such a variety of Zen gardens and to learn about Zen culture and architecture. Bear in mind though that Zen gardens are meant to be contemplated slowly, so a relaxed pace will mean you will appreciate the sub-temples and gardens in the complex more fully.
Practical Info
If not arriving as part of an organized tour, the best way to reach Daitoku-ji Temple is by taking the Karasuma subway line to Kitaoji Station. The complex is located around a 15-minute walk from here.
Address: 53 Murasakino Daitoku-ji-cho, Kyoto, Japan
Hours: Hours of sub-temples varies
Admission: Entry into sub-temples varies
From $ 91
Byodo-in Temple
If you think this classic furled-roof temple looks familiar, take a look at a 10-yen coin, and you’ll see why. One of Japan's most famous temples, and a World Heritage Site, the image of its 11th century Phoenix Hall graces the coin and the 10,000-yen note.
The reason why this Buddhist temple is so famous is because it is one of the few remaining examples of Heian-era architecture, a textbook example of Japanese perfection.
Take a tour to see the famous statue of Amida and 42 Bodhisattvas from the 11th century. The surrounding gardens are also justly famous, with tranquil water gardens reflecting the temple's surrounding pines.
Practical Info
Byōdō-in is in Uji, 18 km (11 mi) from central Kyoto on its southeastern outskirts. Take a tour to get here or ride the train to Keihan Uji Station (around a 40 minute trip).
Address: Uji-shi Uji renge, Kyoto 611-0021, Japan
Hours: Open daily 9am - 5pm (until 4pm in Winter)
Admission: ¥600; ¥500 more for admission to Phoenix Hall
From $ 81
Abeno Harukas
At 984 feet tall (300 m), Abeno Harukas takes the coveted superlative of Japan's highest skyscraper, narrowly rising above the former title holder, the Yokohama Landmark Tower. It serves as a railway terminal for Osaka's Kintetsu Minami-Osaka Line.
The name Abeno Harukas translates to a phrase meaning "to brighten, to clear up," symbolizing the unobstructed view visitors will see from the top. The behemoth skyscraper boasts over 300,000 square feet of floor space which house offices, commercial shops, restaurants, a hotel, a museum, a garden, and a three-story observatory on the top floors. Osaka visitors will be delighted by the view from the observation deck at night, especially, when the city is lit up below.
Practical Info
The Abeno Harukas Skyscraper is located in Osaka's southern commercial district. Visitors will need to purchase a ticket to access the 60th floor observation deck, but the 16th floor air garden is free.
Address: 1-1-43 Abenosuji, Abeno-ku, Osaka, Japan
Hours: 10am–8:30pm daily
From $ 13
Ameyoko Shopping Street
Ameyoko Shopping Street, short for Ameya Yokocho (candy store alley), is one of Japan’s most popular shopping streets, famous throughout Tokyo for its cheap prices and the wide variety of products on offer.
As the name suggests, the alley was once filled with candy shops. In the years following World War II, candy shops gave way to black market stalls selling illegally imported American goods. Today, you won’t find much of either. What you will find is a range of clothing, accessories, cosmetics, spices and foods in more than 400 shops. For many locals, the New Year season means taking a shopping trip to Ameyoko to pick up traditional New Year’s foods like fish cakes, crab and roe.
Even if you’re not in the market for Japanese food products, a stroll down Ameyoko Shopping Street still makes for an enjoyable experience. Soak up the atmosphere, pick up some souvenirs and sample some traditional street snacks from the local vendors.
As the name suggests, the alley was once filled with candy shops. In the years following World War II, candy shops gave way to black market stalls selling illegally imported American goods. Today, you won’t find much of either. What you will find is a range of clothing, accessories, cosmetics, spices and foods in more than 400 shops. For many locals, the New Year season means taking a shopping trip to Ameyoko to pick up traditional New Year’s foods like fish cakes, crab and roe.
Even if you’re not in the market for Japanese food products, a stroll down Ameyoko Shopping Street still makes for an enjoyable experience. Soak up the atmosphere, pick up some souvenirs and sample some traditional street snacks from the local vendors.
Address: Japan
From $ 50
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, also known as the Pearl Bridge, spans the Akashi Strait from Kobe to Iwaya on Awaji Island. Since its completion in 1998, it has held the record of having the world’s longest central span in any suspension bridge, measuring 1.2 miles (1.9 kilometers). In total, the bridge extends 2.4 miles (3.9 kilometers).
Located at the foot of the Kobe side, the Bridge Exhibition Center displays information on the planning and construction of the bridge, as well as on other suspension bridges around the globe. An elevator at the base of the Kobe side takes visitors to the Maiko Marine Promenade, a pedestrian hallway beneath the main platform that offers views of the bridge’s interior.
Bridge World tours take visitors to the very top of one of the 984-foot (300-meter) towers, and when the weather is right, the views extend all the way to Osaka.
Practical Info
Access the Maiko Marine Promenade and Bridge Exhibition Center by taking the JR Sanyo Line to Maiko Station or the Sanyo Railway main line to Maiko-Koen Station.
Address: Japan
Hours: Daily
From $ 154
Akasaka Palace (State Guest House)
Akasaka Palace—the only neobaroque building in Japan—was built in 1909 as the residence of the Crown Prince of Japan, but in 1975 was turned into the State Guest House. As a result, many very important international guests have stayed here and continue to do so. The central Tokyo palace is open to visitors when dignitaries aren’t in town.
The Basics
Akasaka Palace, a National Treasure of Japan, was built on the site of a large Edo-era (1603-1868) estate belonging to the Tokugawa clan. It is one of Japan’s largest and best remaining examples of a Meiji-era (1868-1912) building. A surprising bit of European aesthetic in Japan, the building and grounds are popular with locals and visitors alike.
The palace is often visited on sightseeing tours of the surrounding Akasaka area as well as some themed tours that focus on Japanese history and architecture. Independent visitors wanting to see the building can book tickets online for a specific time slot; you pay upon arrival. The grounds are free to explore and require no advance booking.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Akasaka Palace is ideal for architecture and design enthusiasts.
- While you may be able to get a ticket at the door, people with online reservations get priority during busy times.
- There are different entrance fees to view the exterior only or the interior. Audio guides cost extra.
- Photography inside the palace is not permitted.
- Security lines at the building entrance can be long, so don’t bring large bags.
- There are elevators and accessible restrooms, but the front and back garden areas are covered in stone and gravel, so are not so easy to navigate in a wheelchair.
How to Get There
The palace is located in the Akasaka area of central Tokyo, not far from Meiji Jingu, Shinjuku Park, and Roppongi. The closest train station is Yotsuya, on the JR Chuo Line. As with elsewhere in Tokyo, it’s advisable to take the train rather than a car or taxi.
When to Get There
The palace is open from 10am to 5pm Thursday through Tuesday except when foreign dignitaries are staying there. Visits—even prebooked ones—may be canceled at short notice if a dignitary is visiting.
Visit the Tokyo Imperial Palace
Royal watchers may want to combine a visit to the Akasaka Palace with the Tokyo Imperial Palace, whose inner grounds are open to the public only twice a year: on December 23 (Emperor’s Birthday) and January 2, when the Imperial Family makes appearances on their balcony. On the other 363 days of the year, you can get a guided tour of the palace grounds with prior booking, or free access to the East Gardens.
Address: 2-1-1 Motoakasaka, Minato, Tokyo 107-0051, Japan
Admission: Varies
From $ 60
Arashiyama Park
For classic Kyoto in a nutshell, head to Arashiyama Park. The perennially popular area is rich in temples and a riot of fall colors in November, with pink cherry blossoms in April.
The park area embraces several major sights, including Tenryu-ji Temple, founded in 1339. The main temple of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism, Tenryu-ji is a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by tranquil Zen gardens and bamboo forest.
There are many other temples in Arashiyama, including the Gio-ji, Jojakko-ji and Daikaku-ji temples. Another highlight is walking across the Moon Crossing Bridge, with views over to Mt Arashiyama.
Practical Info
Arashiyama Park is north-west of central Kyoto, by the Oi River. Buses run to Arashiyama from the city center, and the closest train station is JR Saga Arashiyama.
Address: Arashiyama, Kyoto 616-8385, Japan
Hours: Open daily
Admission: Free
From $ 41
Deer Park (Nara Park)
Deer Park (Nara Park) sits at the heart of Nara, a city of great historical importance and the birthplace of modern Japanese culture, located 19 miles (31 km) outside of Osaka. A majority of Nara’s top attractions, including Kasuga Shrine, Todaji and the Nara National Museum, are located in Deer Park, making it a popular day trip destination from both Osaka and Kyoto.
Besides the cultural and historical attractions found on the grounds of the park, it’s also famous for the wild (but very tame) deer that roam the grounds grazing on grass and hoping the passing tourist will feed them some deer crackers (for sale throughout the park). The park covers an area of about 1,300 acres (520 hectares) and requires about three hours to explore, particularly if you plan to stop at the temples and shrines.
Practical Info
The easiest way to reach Nara (and Deer Park) is by taking the Kintesu Nara Line from Osaka’s Namba station to Nara Station. The journey takes about 35 minutes each way.
Address: 469 Zoshicho, Nara 630-8211, Japan
Hours: The park is a public space and is always open.
From $ 54
21_21 Design Sight
Located in Tokyo Midtown within the city’s Art Triangle Roppongi, 21_21 Design Sight opened to the public in 2007 as a museum and exhibit space dedicated to all forms of visual design. The major art venue, housed within a concrete and glass structure, was the work of Pritzker Prize winner Ando Tadao in partnership with fashion designer Issey Miyake.
The name, inspired by the English term “20/20 vision,” was chosen to express the aim of the museum to generate and inspire forward-looking design. The museum houses rotating exhibitions and regularly hosts talks and workshops.
Practical Info
21_21 Design Sight is closed on Tuesdays and can be reached by taking the Oedo Line to Roppongi Station.
Address: Tokyo, Kanto 〒107-6290, Japan
From $ 89
Asahiyama Zoo
Japan’s northernmost zoo is also among the most popular, thanks to its well-managed enclosures designed to exhibit natural animal behaviors rather than just the animals themselves. The zoo is home to more than 800 animal residents representing some 150 species, but the crowd favorites tend to be those hailing from the poles: polar bears and penguins.
A glass tunnel through the penguin enclosure allows visitors to see the aquatic birds “in flight” through the water, while a vertical underwater pipe for the spotted seal shows off the diving skills of this mammal. Both the polar bear and wolf enclosures have pop-up plexiglass domes that allow for viewing the animals from within the enclosures themselves.
Practical Info
Buses 41, 42 and 47 depart from Asahikawa Station twice per hour. The trip to the zoo entrance takes about 40 minutes.
Address: Kuranuma Higashi Asahikawacho, Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan
Hours: April to October 9:30am to 5:15pm; October to November 9:30am to
4:30pm; December to April 10:30am to 3:30pm
Admission: 820 yen
From $ 71
Asakusa Temple
The must-see Asakusa Temple (also known as Senso-ji or Asakusa Kannon) combines architecture, centers of worship, Japanese gardens, and traditional markets to offer visitors a modern-day look at Japan’s rich history and culture. Erected in AD 645 in what was once an old fishing village, Asakusa Temple was dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. Stone statues of Fujin (the Shinto wind god) and Raijin (the Shinto thunder god) guard the entrance, known as Kaminarimon or the Thunder Gate. Next is Hozomon Gate, which leads to Nakamise’s shopping streets, filled with vendors selling handicrafts and Japanese snacks. Don’t miss the Asakusa Shrine or Kannon-do Hall.
The Basics
Even those with little interest in religious architecture should include this top sight on their Tokyo itinerary. Asakusa Temple is quite unlike anything else in the city—and as one of Tokyo’s most popular attractions, it’s included in many city sightseeing tours that may also visit the Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower, Imperial Palace Plaza, the Tsukiji Fish Market, and the Nakamise-dori shopping district. For an in-depth experience in the Asakusa area, opt for a walking tour, rickshaw tour, or evening food tour.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Asakusa Temple is a must-see for first-time visitors to Tokyo.
- It’s possible to experience the temple on a themed tour of the Asakusa neighborhood or as part of a comprehensive city sightseeing tour.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for a variety of surfaces.
- Don’t forget your wallet—a variety of interesting shops dot the area.
How to Get There
Senso-ji is located in Asakusa, within central Tokyo’s Taito district. The temple is just a few steps away from Asakusa Station, which is served by Tobu Railways and the Ginza and Asakusa subway lines.
When to Get There
The temple grounds are always open. The main hall is open from 6am to sunset each day, but many of the shops don’t open until late morning. The temple can get crowded around midday, particularly on weekends, so if you’d like more elbow room, visit before 10am or after 6pm.
The Mystery of Kannon
According to local legend, in AD 628 a pair of fishermen discovered a golden statue of the goddess Kannon in the nearby Sumida River. The statue has allegedly been enshrined at the site since its construction 17 years later, but it has never been on public display. It’s hard to say whether the ancient image of Kannon exists, but it hasn’t stopped Asakusa from becoming Tokyo’s most visited temple.
Address: 2-3-1 Asakusa Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan
Hours: Main hall: 6am - 5pm (6:30am from Oct - Mar). Temple grounds always open
Admission: Free
From $ 34