Lanterns of Old Tokyo: Asakusa’s Temples and Hidden Relics in Senso-ji’s Shadow
- Douglas Jay Falcon
- Sep 6, 2025
- 1 min read
Asakusa, Tokyo’s historic heartbeat, glows with the lanterns of Senso-ji, Japan’s oldest temple, where Edo-era relics and tucked-away shrines whisper tales of samurais and merchants, just 3 minutes from Asakusa Station’s Tsukuba Express. A 15-minute subway ride from Ueno, this riverside district draws locals and tourists to its sacred gates and lesser-known corners, ideal for soaking in Tokyo’s past after exploring Nakamise-dori’s traditional crafts. With English signage, guided tours, and quiet alleys hiding memorials to forgotten poets, Asakusa blends the iconic with the obscure, offering a cultural plunge into old Tokyo. Whether offering incense at a 7th-century pagoda or discovering a hidden statue by the Sumida River, Asakusa’s lanterns illuminate a Kyoto night where Chugoku’s spirit weaves through every cobblestone and prayer, steeped in Edo’s enduring legacy.
Senso-ji Temple
In Asakusa (free entry), this 645 AD temple features a five-story pagoda, a 2-minute walk from Asakusa Station.
Asakusa Shrine
Next to Senso-ji (free entry), this 1649 shrine honors the founders of Senso-ji, a 3-minute walk from Asakusa Station.
Chingo-do Temple (Lesser-Known)
Near Nakamise-dori (free entry), this tiny shrine guards a tanuki statue, a 5-minute walk from Asakusa Station.
Location Benefits: Asakusa’s Tsukuba Express and Ginza Line link to Ueno (5 minutes) or Ginza (10 minutes). Walkable Sumida River, kappabashi shops, and retro yokocho alleys offer Edo-era charm, with Asakusa’s ferry to Odaiba (50 minutes) for modern contrast.
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