Asakusa

Ningyo-yaki — small, doll-shaped sweet cakes.

At the end of Nakamise-dori stands the Hozomon (Treasure House Gate). Two large guardian statues — Amada and Narayana — are installed on the gate.

A restaurant serving chanko-nabe, the hearty hot-pot famously eaten by sumo wrestlers. Chanko-nabe is valued for its nutrition and filling portions: a large pot meant for several people, based on a broth with a variety of ingredients such as fish, squid, shrimp, vegetables, mushrooms and tofu.

To many Western visitors, the most exotic Japanese martial art is sumo. It’s not just a sport but an ancient ritual with deep traditions and religious roots. Tokyo’s legendary Ryogoku Kokugikan is the main arena for sumo tournaments — very atmospheric and beautiful. Ryogoku is a whole neighborhood considered the capital of sumo: besides the arena there are heya (stables where wrestlers live and train) and many restaurants serving chanko-nabe (the traditional sumo stew). Tickets for official sumo tournaments, especially the final days, sell out months in advance. It’s usually possible to attend morning training sessions, however. Tickets are sold on sites such as Klook and the Japan Sumo Association; prices start from around ¥10,000. As a souvenir you can buy a tegata (手形) — a sumo wrestler’s autograph in the form of a signed handprint.

There are many places in Tokyo where you can take part in a tea ceremony. At a true tea-ceremony house you’ll be served a formal ritual, and in some venues you can even dress in a traditional kimono — for example at Tokyo Maikoya. Average cost for an experience is about ¥3,000–6,000.

Nakamise-dori is the shopping street that begins at the gate. It came into being when the priests of Sensō-ji allowed local residents to trade there. Today you can find all kinds of Japanese souvenirs and treats: ningyō-yaki cakes at Kimuraya, fried manju buns at Kokonoe, and more.

The Senso-ji temple grounds include the beautiful Japanese Denboin Garden. It is open to free visits only for a limited time (usually March–May), so check availability in advance.