【Tokyo Stroll】Asakusa Sightseeing: Eating and Walking Down Nakamise Shopping Street & Rickshaw Riding at Kaminarimon

29.November.2017 | FEATURES / SPOT

Today’s Tokyo stroll destination is Asakusa. Asakusa is a popular tourist spot for people coming to Japan and is always packed.

 

However, today’s weather forecast predicted rain! So Yuna and Ellie’s first stop on their Tokyo stroll was to buy umbrellas from Shinagawa.

 

Buying an umbrella at AEON in Shinagawa Seaside

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Shinagawa Station is linked to the shinkansen and numerous airports, so you will find many people from inside and outside Japan waiting there. A convenient place to visit when in Shinagawa if you want something is the Shingawa Seaside branch of AEON.

 

The shopping complex can be reached in 10 minutes by bus or taxi. If you use Shinagawa Seaside Station it’s just a 5 minute walk.

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When looking for somewhere that sells umbrellas to make being in the rain a bit more fun, Yuna and Ellie discovered “fururi,” a place that sells vinyl umbrellas with colourful designs that you can change – simply screw off the top of the umbrella frame, remove the vinyl sheet and replace it with whichever one you like.

 

There are 48 designs to enjoy with a 60cm umbrella.

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Yuna chose a cute design that has blue and yellow water drops. Ellie went for a pink design. A colourful umbrella means turning that rain induced frown upside down. Asakusa is the place to go if you want something fight off the rain!

 

■Information

AEON – Shinagawa Seaside Branch

Address: 4-12-5 Higashishinagawa, Shinagawa, Tokyo

Open: 8am-12am

TEL: 03−5715−8300

Website: https://www.welcome-aeon.com/

 

Eat and walk down Nakamise Shopping Street♪

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As you come to the Kaminarimon Gate you must first press your hands together and bow before heading through to Nakamise Shopping Street. The street is lined with lots of shops selling all kinds of goodies from toys to food to souvenirs.

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The first item Yuna and Ellie came across were little randoresu keyrings. This is most definitely the kind of souvenir you can only get in Japan. Ever since popular Hollywood actresses put out photos of themselves donning these backpacks, they have become popular overseas for their colourfulness and durability. There are even people who wear them as a fashion item.

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The next treasure they found were the ‘daigaku imo’! Daigaku imo are candied sweet potatoes. The outside is crunchy and the outside is soft. They are deliciously sweet. You absolutely must try them if you come across them in Japan.

 

■Information

Oimoyasan Asakusa

Address: 1-36-6 Asakusa, Taito, Tokyo

Open: 09:00-20:00

Open all year around.

TEL: 03-3843-3886

Website: http://www.oimoyasan.com/

 

Approaching Sensō-ji

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When you come out of Nakamise Shopping Street you will find yourself at Sensō-ji, Asakusa’s ancient Buddhist temple.

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The first step to take when going to shrines and temples in Japan is washing your hands, which is called “temizuya.” Hold the ladle with your right hand and wash your left hand and vice versa. Take the ladle with your right hand and scoop some water. Pour the water into your left hand and rinse your mouth with it. Make sure to never bring the ladle to your mouth. Spit the water next to the fountain, never directly back into it. (Bonus: Check out our step-by-step guide to praying etiquette and shrines and temples in Japan.)

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Subsequently, approach the main temple building. After praying, toss in a monetary offering. Then put your hands together and bow once. Since there is no shrine here you do not need to clap. Finally, perform a light bow to complete the prayer.

 

I wonder what those two were praying for. They look unusually serious.

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There are lots of great places to take photos around Sensō-ji so be sure to have a good look around.

 

■Information

Sensō-ji

Address: 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito, Tokyo

Open: 6:00-17:00 (April-September) / 6:30-17:00 (October-March)

Open all year round.

TEL: 03−3842−0181

Homepage: http://www.senso-ji.jp/

 

Tour Asakusa on a rickshaw

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After their temple walk, Yuna and Ellie boarded a rickshaw to scope the Asakusa townscape. The rickshaws have a tarpaulin rain cover and lap blanket in case of rain so you can still have fun even when the weather is bad.

 

We recommend taking a photo at Dempoin Street when riding your rickshaw as pictured above! It’s a special kind of place that you can only find in Asakusa so be sure to take a memorable picture.

 

■Information

Ebisuya – Asakusa Branch

Boarding: In front of Kaminarimon Gate (主な乗り場:雷門前(背中に「雷」と入った衣装がえびす屋)

Open: 9:30-Sunset *depending on the season

TEL: 03-3847-4443

Website: http://ebisuya.com/branch/kaminarimon/

 

Did you enjoy Yuna and Ellie’s sightseeing trip to Asakusa? There’s lots of other amazing places to find in Asakusa too! We’ll be sure to post about them here on MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON so stay tuned.

 

Models: Yuna Yabe, Ellie

Photo: Kayo Sekiguchi

Writer: Sayuri Mizuno (ASOBISYSTEM)

Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga

 

Introducing: Randoseru

We’d like to introduce to you the randoseru bags used in today’s article which both Yuna and Ellie modelled for in a Narita tourism article. As mentioned above, the Japanese randoseru, firm backpacks made from leather or leather-like material, are recognised as a fashion item overseas. The randoseru used in today’s article were are the 24 colour randoseru and 3STYLE randoseru from AEON.

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Yuna: 24 Colour Randoseru (Burgundy) – ¥35,000 (tax excl.)

Ellie: 3STYLE Randoseru (Caramel) – ¥48,000 (tax excl.)

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The 3STYLE randoseru can be used as a shoulder bag or handbag. If you’re interested in either of their randoseru, then be sure to pop into your nearest AEON store.

 

AEON.com: https://www.welcome-aeon.com/

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    Instagramでこのプロフィールを見る

     

    GoodDay北海道(@goodday_hokkaido) • Instagram写真と動画

     

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    [Ome / Okutama] Umetama

     

    Instagramでこのプロフィールを見る

     

    うめたま|OME&OKUTAMA TOKYO(@umetama.official) • Instagram写真と動画

     

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    More and more young people are finding the appeal of Ome and Okutama, and the area has become the perfect relaxation spot for those seeking refuge from their busy lives. In addition, the craft beer bar Ome Beer, located near Ome Station, sells local alcohol, including Okutama’s popular craft beer ‘Vertere.’ See the lesser-known side of Tokyo on this picturesque account. 

     

    Remember how wonderful it is to travel? Hopefully, Japan opens for tourism again soon, and you can visit all of these gorgeous locales.

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    This project is a new attempt to enliven local communities by collaborating with companies that have roots in the rural locations where these concerts will be held. These company’s logos have been reimagined, paying homage to the artwork associated with Kyary’s previous song releases. T-shirts designed with each of these collaborative logos will be on sale for a limited time, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the local community for development and social contributions.

     

    For the encore of the first live show, Kyary wore a collaboration logo T-shirt inspired by Suzuhiro Kamaboko, a company in Kanagawa Prefecture. The artist also introduced the project and its aim to the excited audience. More collaborations will be announced through July 2021.

     

    Check out the ‘LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project’ website for more details!

     

    Comment from Kyary Pamyu Pamyu

    “This tour is to commemorate my tenth anniversary, and as I travel all over Japan to express my gratitude to those who have supported me over the past decade, I also want to do something for everyone else. I’m happy to support these local companies and I’d like to work with them to revitalize the entire country. We’ll be engaging in all sorts of collaborations around Japan, so look forward to it!”


     

    January 16, Kanagawa Performance: Suzuhiro Kamaboko

    Suzuhiro Kamaboko, a long-established fish paste store in Odawara that has been in business for 156 years, has agreed to take part in the project. Their normally navy blue brand logo has received a major makeover in colorful pink, green, and purple hues. 

    The T-shirts featuring the new collaboration logo on the front and the Kyary Pamyu Pamyu 10th anniversary logo and ‘LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project’ logo on the back are now available for purchase!

     

    *Otono Kuni (From 4th Album ‘Japamyu,’ 2018)
    Streaming Links: https://lnk.to/otonokuni

     

    January 29, Gunma Performance: Oginoya Kamameshi

    Oginoya, the largest Ekiben shop in Japan, was established 136 years ago in Yokokawa, Gunma Prefecture. 

    Their main dish, Touge no Kamameshi,’ has been sold for over 60 years and often makes appearances at events all over Japan. The company’s logo has been reborn through the lens of Kyary’s popular song Tsukematsukeru. A special kamameshi dish will also be prepared for the project, and will be sold in limited quantities at the Gunma concert venue on January 29, Kyary’s birthday!

     

    *Tsukematsukeru (1st Single, 2012)
    Streaming Links: https://lnk.to/tsukematsukeru

     

    May 20, Fukushima Performance: Kourakuen

    Kyary will appear in commercials for Kourakuen as part of the project. The company started as a small diner in Aizuwakamatsu and is now is a national chain of ramen restaurants serving over 54 million people a year! The new logo and collaboration details will be revealed at a later date, so keep an eye out!

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