When people think of famous sightseeing districts in Tokyo, Asakusa is usually one of the first places that comes to mind. Visitors from around the world come to see the giant red lantern of Kaminarimon and the historic temple Senso-ji . Amid all this, there is a small but familiar “Tokyo moment” that people sometimes talk about. “I meant to go to Asakusa, but I accidentally ended up in Asakusabashi .” Because the station names sound similar, visitors occasionally get off at the wrong stop. When they step out of the station, instead of a bustling tourist area they find themselves in a calm business district. Looking around, they start wondering: “Where is Kaminarimon?” There is no need to be disappointed. Asakusa is only a few minutes away by train. And there is something else. Asakusabashi itself is actually a surprisingly interesting neighborhood. It may not have many flashy tourist attractions. But the area is filled with the atmosphere of Tokyo’s old downtown, a hist...
Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine Monzen-Nakacho is In Tokyo’s old downtown(shitamachi) area known as Fukagawa . This neighborhood doesn’t shout for attention with flashy attractions, but it rewards those who walk its streets with a mix of traditional temples, lively shrines, cozy alleyways, and riverside views. Where the Name Comes From "Main Street” of the Temple Town The word monzen literally means “in front of a temple.” In premodern Japan, towns often grew around castles ( jokamachi ) or around major temples and shrines ( monzen-machi ). Monzen-Nakacho is a classic example of the latter, and its name still carries that history. Even today, as soon as you exit the Monzen-Nakacho subway station, you step right into a temple approach lined with traditional sweet shops and souvenir stores welcoming worshippers. Naritasan Fukagawa Fudo-do At the end of the approach stands Naritasan Fukagawa Fudo-do . Its head temple, Naritasan Shinshoji, is in Chiba Prefecture and is dedica...