Asakusabashi Travel Guide

Tokyo

Asakusabashi
Asakusabashi
Asakusabashi
Asakusabashi
Asakusabashi

Fans of the traditional Japanese doll should head straight to this riverside neighbourhood in the Taitō ward of Tokyo.

Asakusabashi is a relatively traditional and affordable Tokyo neighborhood along the central Tokyo waterfront. It’s sometimes confused with the much more touristy Asakusa district, which is nearby. The two used to be linked because “bashi” means “bridge” and Asakusabashi refers to the bridge that gave access to Asakusa’s Sensoji Temple during the Edo (old Tokyo) Era.

Follow Edo-dori Avenue to where it meets Asakusabashi Station and you’ll see the bridge that gave the district its name. It spans the Kanda River with its scenic houseboats.

Asakusabashi is home to many wholesale stores that sell boxes full of beads, ribbons, artificial flowers and other materials for crafts. If you happen to visit in fall, attend the Monomachi events, during which galleries and studios hold open houses and give workshops.

If you would like to purchase a traditional Japanese doll as a souvenir you have come to the right place. Most doll shops in Asakusabashi cater to the wealthier Japanese who buy the dolls for their kids or grandkids on special occasions.

March 3 is the day of the Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival), when a symbolic gift is given to girls for good health. On May 5, boys receive a samurai doll for courage and strength. Many also come to Asakusabashi on that day to buy koinobori(koi carp banners) to decorate the streets in order to ward off evil spirits.

The area’s carved wooden or clay kimekomidolls are available year round. Ask the way to Kyugetsu, a more affordable store that caters to tourists and also sells other dolls and doll-related souvenirs.

Of the three ancient Shintō shrines in Asakusabashi’s alleys, the Ichogaoka Hachiman Shrine is easiest to find because it’s just around the corner from Asakusabashi Station. The shrine is dedicated to a local priest, Shaku Gyochi (1778-1841), a collector of folkloric tales.

At night, take a romantic yakatabune river dining cruise, from near the 17th-century Ryōgoku Bridge.

Reach Asakusabashi by taking the JR Sobu line from the center of Tokyo. The stop is between Akihabara (west) and Ryōgoku (east). The trip takes just 15 minutes from Tokyo Station and about an hour from Tokyo Haneda Airport.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Asakusabashi

Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport

Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport

4 out of 5
2-7-1 Hanedakuko, Oota, Tokyo, Tokyo
The price is Rp1.484.851 per night from 20 Aug to 21 Aug
Rp1.484.851
Rp1.666.656 total
20 Aug - 21 Aug
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and hot springs on-site. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (6,790 reviews)
One of the nicest airport hotels in the world!
"This is a GREAT hotel within the airport. They helped me mail my luggage to Osaka after midnight. The next morning, at the basement level, there were many restaurants to choose from for an early lunch (and fewer but still ok for breakfast). It is super convenient to walk our luggage from the airport ..."

Reviewed on 5 Aug 2025

Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku

Hotel Gracery Shinjuku

4 out of 5
1-19-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and in-room massages. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,693 reviews)
"We got the small bedroom but it was adequate for 2 people who are outside the whole day. The access to take pictures of the Godzilla head is still closed. Apparently, it has been closed for more than 2 years now."

Reviewed on 3 Aug 2025

Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Shinjuku Washington Hotel Main

Shinjuku Washington Hotel Main

4 out of 5
3-2-9 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
The price is Rp1.109.311 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
Rp1.109.311
Rp1.342.266 total
18 Aug - 19 Aug
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 15 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8/10 Very Good! (3,013 reviews)
"It was in a great location. Quiet yet convenient. The rooms are small but they are clean and do the job. A pleasant stay overall."

Reviewed on 2 Aug 2025

Shinjuku Washington Hotel Main
Hotel Niwa Tokyo

Hotel Niwa Tokyo

4 out of 5
1-1-16 Kandamisaki-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo
The price is Rp2.145.016 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
Rp2.145.016
Rp2.595.389 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in their reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (2,076 reviews)
"This is a beautiful hotel with a serene Japanese atmosphere."

Reviewed on 30 Jul 2025

Hotel Niwa Tokyo
Tokyo Bay Shiomi Prince Hotel

Tokyo Bay Shiomi Prince Hotel

4 out of 5
2-8-16 Shiomi, Tokyo, Tokyo
The price is Rp3.051.323 per night from 27 Aug to 28 Aug
Rp3.051.323
Rp3.792.794 total
27 Aug - 28 Aug
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (3,393 reviews)
"Highly recommended in terms of everything - the location which is very near Tokyo Bay station, staff are accommodating, hotel is kept clean, the family mart on the ground floor, amenities. Our entire family loved Tokyo Bay Shiomi"

Reviewed on 3 Aug 2025

Tokyo Bay Shiomi Prince Hotel
Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo

Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo

3.5 out of 5
1-2-2 Kinshi, Sumida-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,552 reviews)
"Close to train station and plenty of shopping. Next to concert hall"

Reviewed on 3 Aug 2025

Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Asakusabashi

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Akihabara

While you're in Akihabara, take in top sights like Akihabara Electric Town and jump on the metro at Suehirocho Station to see more of the city.

Akihabara
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Ueno

4.5/5(87 area reviews)

Travellers choose Ueno for its ample dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Ueno-okachimachi Station or Ueno-hirokoji Station and check out top sights like Ameyoko Shopping District.

Ueno
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Taito

4.5/5(251 area reviews)

Travellers love Taito for its popular shops, and you can see more of Tokyo by jumping on the metro at Iriya Station or Tawaramachi Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Sensoji Temple and Hanayashiki Amusement Park.

Taito
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Asakusa

5/5(62 area reviews)

Asakusa is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Sensoji Temple or Asakusa Shrine.

Asakusa
Marunouchi which includes a city, a high-rise building and a fountain

Marunouchi

4/5(9 area reviews)

Travellers choose Marunouchi for its ample dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Nijubashimae (Marunouchi) Station or Otemachi Station and check out top sights like Imperial Garden Theatre.

Marunouchi
Akihabara Electric Town showing signage, street scenes and a city

Chiyoda

4.5/5(178 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Chiyoda. Tokyo Imperial Palace is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Kudanshita Station or Takebashi Station to see more of Tokyo.

Chiyoda

Asakusabashi Travel Guide