Half-day to full-day itinerary centered around Sensō-ji in Asakusa, Tokyo

#TravelItinerary #Asakusa ⸻ 🏯 Asakusa Sensoji Key Itinerary 🕗 8:30 - Arrive at Kaminarimon • **'Kaminarimon (雷門)'**, with its giant red lantern, is the symbolic gate in front of Sensoji. • The 3.9m high, 700kg lantern is a great photo spot! Recommended for the morning when there are fewer people . 🕘 9:00 - Stroll along Nakamise-dōri • A traditional shopping street of about 250m, decorated with souvenirs and traditional Japanese sweets. • A variety of things to see and snacks such as daifuku, senbei, and dolls . 🕙 10:00 – Hozomon – Entering the interior of Sensoji • **‘Hozomon (宝蔵門)’** is a treasure gate with a two-story inner gate, where national treasure-level scriptures are stored (). • Here, you can cleanse your body and mind by burning incense (osenko), a purification ritual. 🕥 10:15 – Visit the main hall (lecture) • At the Sensoji main hall ‘Kannon-do’, you can pay homage to the goddess of mercy, Kannon. • There is a story related to the legendary 7th century ‘Kannon statue pulled from the sleeping river’ (). 🕚 10:30 – Omikuji experience • An interesting paper fortune-telling experience (about 100 yen) at the fortune-telling pillar. • It is said that bad luck can be tied up and left behind . 🕛 11:00 – Nearby shrines and cultural spaces • Visit Asakusa Shrine (浅草神社) next to Sensoji Temple, famous for the Tokyo-style festival “Sanja Matsuri” . • Capture the view of Sensoji Temple and Tokyo Skytree from the rooftop observatory of the Asakusa Culture and Tourism Center (). 🕛 11:30 – A leisurely walk & lunch • Taste traditional Asakusa food such as traditional dining, soba, and rice bowls. • It is also great for taking street photos after renting a kimono or yukata (). ⸻ 🆒 Additional optional courses • Rickshaw experience: A special way to enjoy a traditional street tour (). • Sumida River Cruise: Extend your journey to Tokyo Skytree with a riverside tour. • Visit the Tokyo Skytree Observatory: Directly accessible from the center of Asakusa, easy to access after finishing your morning schedule. ⸻ 💡 Visiting Tips & Tips • Visit early in the morning or early in the evening: Shops open around 9 a.m. and the crowds gradually increase, so it’s a good time to take pictures and watch (). • Be careful of the conquest event: During the “Sanja Matsuri” period in the third week of May, it gets very crowded with people and mikoshi parades (). • Kimono rental and walking around the streets: A popular course for domestic and international tourists. It’s a great way to take colorful pictures and make memories (). • Money saving tips: Admission to Sensoji Temple grounds is free, and the opening hours are 365 days a year (the main hall is open from 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) ().