View source for Asakusa

{{Short description|Tokyo district}}
{{Other uses}}
{{more citations needed|date=March 2023}}
[[File:Day2-2_(40909714314).jpg|thumb|The {{transliteration|ja|[[Kaminarimon]]}}, with its giant {{transliteration|ja|[[chōchin]]}}, the outer gate of Sensō-ji temple]]
[[File:Sensoji at night 5.JPG|thumb|[[Sensō-ji]] at night]]
[[File:Kaminarimon from above - 2020 9 11 various 23 56 11 827000.jpeg|thumb|upright|Aerial view of Asakusa]]

{{nihongo|'''Asakusa'''|浅草||{{IPA|ja|asakɯ̥ꜜsa|lang|TomJ-Asakusa.ogg}}}} is a district in [[Taitō]], [[Tokyo]], Japan. It is known for [[Sensō-ji]], a Buddhist temple dedicated to the [[bodhisattva]] [[Kannon]]. There are several other temples in Asakusa, as well as various festivals, such as {{transliteration|ja|[[Sanja Matsuri]]}}.

==History==
[[File:Hiroshige, Night View of Saruwaka-machi.jpg|thumb|Asakusa {{transliteration|ja|rokku-chome}} was once the biggest theater district in Edo.]]
The development of Asakusa as an entertainment district during the [[Edo period]] came about in part because of the neighboring district, Kuramae. Kuramae was a district of storehouses for rice, which was then used as payment for servants of the feudal government. The keepers ({{transliteration|ja|fudasashi}}) of these storage houses initially stored the rice for a small fee, but over the years began exchanging the rice for money or selling it to local shopkeepers at a margin.<ref>{{cite web|title=Asakusa: The Heart of Old Tokyo|website=furthereast.com|url=http://www.furthereast.com/travel/asakusa/ |access-date=2015-03-06|archive-date=2015-04-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403022450/http://www.furthereast.com/travel/asakusa/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Through such trading, many {{transliteration|ja|fudasashi}} came to have a considerable amount of disposable income and as result theaters and [[okiya|geisha houses]] began to spring up in nearby Asakusa.

For most of the 20th century, Asakusa remained a major entertainment district in Tokyo.  The {{transliteration|ja|rokku}} or "Sixth District" was in particular famous as a theater district, featuring famous cinemas such as the [[Denkikan]]. The golden years of Asakusa are vividly portrayed in [[Yasunari Kawabata]]'s novel ''[[The Scarlet Gang of Asakusa]]'' (1930). The area was heavily damaged by US bombing raids during World War II, particularly the [[Bombing of Tokyo (10 March 1945)|10 March 1945 firebombing of Tokyo]]. The area was rebuilt after the war, but has now been surpassed by [[Shinjuku]] and other colorful areas in the city in its role as a pleasure district.

Asakusa was a ward of [[Tokyo City]]. In 1947, when the city was transformed into a [[Tokyo|metropolis]], it was merged with [[Shitaya]] to form the modern Taito ward. The former ward encompassed 19 neighborhoods in the eastern half of Taitō.

==Geography==
Asakusa is on the north-east fringe of central Tokyo, at the eastern end of the [[Tokyo Metro Ginza Line]] subway, approximately one mile east of the major {{STN|Ueno|x}} railway/subway interchange. It is central to the area colloquially referred to as [[Shitamachi]], which literally means "low city," referring to the low elevation of this old part of Tokyo, on the banks of the [[Sumida River]]. As the name suggests, the area has a more traditionally Japanese atmosphere than some other neighborhoods in Tokyo do.

==Food and drink==
[[File:Yōshū Chikanobu Bell.jpg|thumb|Two geisha relaxing after having entertained; the insets showing the curfew bell at Asakusa. [[Ukiyo-e]] woodblock print by [[Toyohara Chikanobu|Yōshū Chikanobu]], 1888]]
[[File:Sensoji at night.JPG|thumb|Temple in Asakusa]]

Asakusa has many restaurants and places to try traditional Japanese foods. One of the most popular treats is {{transliteration|ja|[[satsuma imo]]}}, sweet potatoes. Another special treat is {{transliteration|ja|[[Kamaboko|chikuwa kamaboko]]}}, grilled fish cakes. The Suzuhiro store serves local craft beer with traditional {{transliteration|ja|kamaboko}}. Asakusa is also known for spices such as {{transliteration|ja|[[shichimi]]}} and {{transliteration|ja|[[Sanshō (spice)|sanshō]]}}.

In a city where there are very few buildings older than 50 years because of the [[Bombing of Tokyo in World War II|wartime bombing]], Asakusa has a greater concentration of buildings from the 1950s and 1960s than most other areas in Tokyo do. There are traditional {{transliteration|ja|[[Ryokan (inn)|ryokan]]}} (guest-houses) and small-scale apartment buildings throughout the district.

In keeping with a peculiarly Tokyo tradition, Asakusa hosts a major cluster of domestic kitchenware stores on {{transliteration|ja|[[Kappabashi-dori]]}}, which is visited by many Tokyoites for essential supplies. Next to the [[Sensō-ji]] temple grounds is a small amusement park called [[Hanayashiki]], which claims to be the oldest amusement park in Japan. The neighborhood theaters specialize in showing classic Japanese films, as many of the tourists are elderly Japanese.

Cruises down the [[Sumida River]] depart from a wharf a five-minute walk from the temple.

Asakusa is Tokyo's oldest [[geisha]] district, and still has 45 actively working geisha.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}

Because of its colourful location, downtown credentials, and relaxed atmosphere by Tokyo standards, Asakusa is a popular accommodation choice for budget travelers.

==Carnival==
The neighborhood is famous for its annual Brazilian style [[carnival]]. There is a significant [[Brazilians in Japan|Brazilian]] presence in the local community and the Association of [[Samba School]]s of Asakusa is based there.<ref>[http://www.tamborins.com.br/asulti/exibe.php?selec1=asulti&selec2=&selec3=20050826002 Tamborins.com.br (in Portuguese)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009223606/http://www.tamborins.com.br/asulti/exibe.php?selec1=asulti&selec2=&selec3=20050826002 |date=2007-10-09 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://unseendestination.com/asia/top-five-tourist-attractions-in-tokyo/ |title=Senso-Ji Temple-Tokyo: 5 Top Amazing Attractions Places To Visit |access-date=12 May 2020 |archive-date=23 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923092511/https://unseendestination.com/asia/top-five-tourist-attractions-in-tokyo/ |url-status=usurped }}</ref>

== {{Transliteration|ja|Sanja Matsuri}} ==
Although there are many festivals throughout the year in Asakusa, the most famous of them is the {{transliteration|ja|[[Sanja Matsuri]]}}, also known as Sanja Festival, which takes place in May.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://planetyze.com/en/japan/tokyo/asakusa/information|title=About Asakusa – Tokyo Travel Guide {{!}} Planetyze|website=Planetyze|language=en|access-date=2017-06-17}}</ref> In this festival, {{transliteration|ja|[[mikoshi]]}} (portable shrines) and floats are pulled through the streets while loud shouts accompany them, and during the festival's 3 days, 1.5 million people come out to celebrate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://planetyze.com/en/japan/tokyo/sanja-festival/information|title=About Sanja Matsuri (Sanja Festival) – Tokyo Travel Guide {{!}} Planetyze|website=Planetyze|language=en|access-date=2017-06-17}}</ref>

==Transportation==
The district has two railway stations with the same name:

*[[Asakusa Station (Tokyo Metro, Toei, Tobu)|Asakusa Station]]
{{Plainlist|
* {{TBLS|TS}} [[Tobu Skytree Line]] (TS-01)
* {{TSLS|A}} [[Toei Asakusa Line]] (A-18)
* {{TSLS|G}} [[Tokyo Metro Ginza Line]] (G-19)
}}
*[[Asakusa Station (Tsukuba Express)|Asakusa Station]]
{{Plainlist|
* [[File:Tsukuba Express mark.svg|18px]] [[Tsukuba Express]] (TX-03)
}}

==Education==
[[File:台東区立浅草中学校.jpg|thumb|{{ill|Asakusa Junior High School|ja|台東区立浅草中学校}}]]
Taitō City Board of Education operates public elementary and junior high schools.

Asakusa 1-{{transliteration|ja|[[chome]]}} and portions of 2-{{transliteration|ja|chome}} are zoned to {{ill|Asakusa Elementary School|ja|台東区立浅草小学校}}. All of 6- and 7-{{transliteration|ja|chome}} and parts of 3-, 4-, and 5-{{transliteration|ja|chome}} are zoned to {{ill|Fuji Elementary School|ja|台東区立富士小学校}}. Parts of 3-, 4-, and 5-{{transliteration|ja|chome}} are zoned to {{ill|Senzoku Elementary School|ja|千束小学校}}. Portions of 2-{{transliteration|ja|chome}} are zoned to {{ill|Kinryu Elementary School|ja|台東区立金竜小学校}}. Portions of 5-{{transliteration|ja|chome}} are zoned to {{ill|Higashi-Asakusa Elementary School|ja|東浅草小学校}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.city.taito.lg.jp/kosodatekyouiku/kuritsushocyugakko/nyugakutugaku/tsuugakukuiki.files/taitoukuritsusyougakkou_tsuugakukuiki.pdf|title=台東区立小学校通学区域表|publisher=City of Taito|access-date=2022-10-09}}</ref>

Asakusa 1- and 2-{{transliteration|ja|chome}} are zoned to {{ill|Asakusa Junior High School|ja|台東区立浅草中学校}}. All of Asakusa 6- and 7-{{transliteration|ja|chome}} and portions of 3-, 4-, and 5-{{transliteration|ja|chome}} are zoned to {{ill|Sakurabashi Junior High School|ja|桜橋中学校}}. Portions of Asakusa 3-, 4-, and 5-{{transliteration|ja|chome}} are zoned to {{ill|Hakuyo Junior High School|ja|台東区立柏葉中学校}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.city.taito.lg.jp/kosodatekyouiku/kuritsushocyugakko/nyugakutugaku/tsuugakukuiki.files/taitoukuritsutyuugakkou_tsuugakukuiki.pdf|title=台東区立中学校通学区域表|publisher=City of Taito|access-date=2022-10-09}}</ref>

== In art and literature ==
* Kawabata Yasunari, ''[[The Scarlet Gang of Asakusa]]'' (1930)
* Kankichi Ryotsu, protagonist of the popular anime and manga series {{transliteration|ja|[[KochiKame]]}}, is born in Asakusa.
* "Corn Dog," season 1, episode 2 of ''Midnight Diner, Tokyo Stories'', a Netflix original series (2016), is about an old comedian who works in Asakusa and his successful young protégé.
* The anime {{transliteration|ja|[[Sarazanmai]]}} is set in Asakusa.
* In the anime and manga series ''[[Fire Force]]'', Asakusa shows up as the district under the jurisdiction of the Special Fire Force Company 7 and is the setting of the Asakusa arc.
* In the popular anime and manga series, ''[[Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba|Demon Slayer]]'', chapters 14–17 and episodes 7–10, the primary location is Taishō-period Asakusa.
* In video games, [[Senran Kagura]] is set in the fictional city of Asakusa.

==See also==
{{Portal|Tokyo}}
* [[Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center]]
* [[Asakusa Shrine]]
* [[Hanayashiki]], oldest amusement park in Japan.
* {{transliteration|ja|[[Hōzōmon]]}}
* {{transliteration|ja|[[Kaminarimon]]}}
* [[Kiuchi Kyō]]
* [[Luna Park, Tokyo]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* {{Wikivoyage inline|Tokyo/Asakusa}}

{{Original 15 wards of Tokyo}}
{{Neighborhoods of Tokyo}}
{{Taitō, Tokyo}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|35|42|52|N|139|47|48|E|region:JP-13|display=title}}

[[Category:Asakusa| ]]
[[Category:Districts of Taitō]]