The Kaminarimon gate of Sensō-ji with its great red lantern

Neighbourhood guide · Tokyo

Asakusa and Ueno: old Tokyo

Sensō-ji and the Kaminarimon, Tokyo Skytree across the river, the museums of Ueno Park and the lanes of Yanaka.

The back story

  1. Neighbourhood guide

    Asakusa and Ueno: temples, museums and old Tokyo

    Asakusa·In depth

    Sensō-ji and its lantern gate, the river and Skytree, the museums of Ueno Park and the wooden lanes of Yanaka.

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What to see and do

  1. Tokyo’s great temple

    Sensō-ji

    Asakusa·Temple

    The red Kaminarimon gate and its giant lantern, the Nakamise shopping street, the five-storey pagoda and the main hall: the oldest-feeling corner of Tokyo.

    2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0032Explore View on map

  2. 634 metres

    Tokyo Skytree

    Oshiage·Tower

    Japan’s tallest structure, with two observation decks at 350 and 450 metres and the Solamachi shops at its foot.

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  3. Torii and azaleas

    Nezu Shrine

    Nezu·Shrine

    A shrine of lacquered halls in the old Nezu district, with a tunnel of small red torii and an azalea festival in spring.

    1-28-9 Nezu, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0031Explore View on map

  4. Japan’s oldest museum

    Tokyo National Museum

    Ueno·Museum

    Japan’s greatest collection of its own art, from Jōmon pottery and samurai armour to screens, scrolls and national treasures, in several buildings in Ueno Park.

    13-9 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-8712Explore View on map

  5. Le Corbusier, UNESCO

    The National Museum of Western Art

    Ueno·Museum

    European painting and sculpture, with Rodin in the courtyard, in Le Corbusier’s building in Ueno Park, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.

    7-7 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0007Explore View on map

  6. The kitchen street

    Kappabashi Dōgu Street

    Asakusa·Craft street

    A street of shops for chefs, between Asakusa and Ueno: knives, lacquerware, ceramics and the plastic food models of restaurant windows.

    3-18-2 Matsugaya, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0036Explore View on map

  7. Museums and cherry trees

    Ueno Park

    Ueno·Park

    The park of museums, temples and the lotus-filled Shinobazu Pond, and of cherry-blossom parties in spring.

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  8. On foot

    Yanaka, Nezu and Sendagi

    Yanaka·Walk

    The old wooden town north of Ueno: temples, cemetery lanes, a shrine of torii and an old coffee house.

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  9. On foot

    Asakusa and the Sumida River

    Asakusa·Walk

    Sensō-ji, the kitchen street, the riverbank and the tower across the water.

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Where to eat

  1. Two MICHELIN Stars

    HOMMAGE

    Asakusa·French

    French cooking in Asakusa. Two MICHELIN Stars in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide.

    4-10-5 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0032Explore View on map

  2. One MICHELIN Star

    Nabeno-Ism

    Asakusa·French

    French cooking in Asakusa. One MICHELIN Star in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide.

    2-1-17 Komagata, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0043Explore View on map

  3. One MICHELIN Star

    Oku

    Asakusa·Sushi

    Edomae sushi at the counter in Asakusa. One MICHELIN Star in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide.

    3-42-11 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0032Explore View on map

  4. Bib Gourmand

    Hatsuogawa

    Asakusa·Unagi / Freshwater Eel

    Grilled eel (unagi) in Asakusa. A Bib Gourmand in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide: good quality, good value cooking.

    2-8-4 Kaminarimon, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0034Explore View on map

  5. Bib Gourmand

    Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku

    Asakusa·Onigiri

    Onigiri, rice balls made to order in Asakusa. A Bib Gourmand in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide: good quality, good value cooking.

    3-9-10 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0032Explore View on map

  6. Bib Gourmand

    grill GRAND

    Asakusa·Yoshoku

    Yōshoku, Japan’s Western-style classics in Asakusa. A Bib Gourmand in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide: good quality, good value cooking.

    3-24-6 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0032Explore View on map

  7. Old Yanaka

    Kayaba Coffee

    Yanaka·Coffee house

    A corner coffee house in an old wooden building in Yanaka, known for its egg sandwich.

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Where to stay

  1. By the temple gate

    THE GATE HOTEL Kaminarimon by HULIC

    Asakusa·Hotel

    A hotel steps from Kaminarimon, with a terrace looking over the rooftops of Asakusa.

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Share your Asakusa & Ueno tips

Been to Sensō-ji early or late? Share the best time to go.

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