Secrets of Sensoji Temple: A Tour of Asakusa’s History, Art and Culture

In the year 628 AD, two fishermen hauled a statue of the Buddhist goddess Kannon out of the Sumida River in the Asakusa district of Taitō. The statue was enshrined in 645 AD, marking the opening of Sensoji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo.

This sightseeing tour of Tokyo will take you on a journey of discovery through the small streets and laneways surrounding Sensoji Temple. Packed full of history, art, handicrafts, and traditional snack shops there is much more to this popular tourist district than you might have first imagined.

We’ll guide you down Japan’s oldest shopping street, Nakamise, and show you Kimuraya, the sweet shop that has been open since 1867 that sells Ningyo-yaki (a sweet baked into the shape of a doll). You’ll hear about post-WW2 architectural resurrections and visit the Hozomon Gate. There, we’ll show you the Owaraji, the giant shoes worn by the Buddha’s guardian spirits. You’ll also learn why five-story pagodas are surprisingly earthquake-resistant!

On this tour, you can look forward to:

• Discovering my top picks of Asakusa’s must-try traditional snacks.
• Learning the difference between geishas and prostitutes at the Asakusa KagekiJo Theater.
• Seeing Japan’s first roller coaster at Hanayashiki, an amusement park that started as a botanical garden.
• Visiting Kamiya Bar, the first ever western-style bar to open in Japan.
• Shopping for authentic souvenirs at a 300-year-old wooden comb shop. ...and much more!

No one actually knows how the Kannon statue ended up in the river all those years ago but this tour's narrators, fictional guide Agatha and Kate of Hello! Tours, will help you track down the culprit. Throughout the tour, Agatha will pop up and explain unique traditions and point out interesting items that may help you to solve the mystery. At the end of this walking tour, you’ll view a sketch of three suspects and you’ll be able to put your super sleuth skills to the test by guessing which one threw the statue into the river.

Allow yourself 1 to 2 hours, or go at your own pace, to get the most out of this Tokyo tour that’s sure to delight history lovers, art admirers, food enthusiasts, the culturally curious, and those who enjoy a mystery. There are plenty of opportunities along the way for you to take a break in one of the many cafes, restaurants, or snack shops mentioned en route.