Gratitude and Tradition at Tokyo's Asakusa Sensoji Temple

This holiday season, I surprised my parents with an 8-day culinary journey through Tokyo. We spent a whole day dedicated to Asakusa Sensoji. This area, boasting Tokyo’s oldest temple, Senso-ji, plunged us deep into Japanese traditions that are a CENTURY old, from street food around Senso-ji to age-old craftsmanship. Our Asakusa Sensoji visit was a great way to appreciate the value of preserving history!

A collection of street foods and views of Asakusa Sensoji in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan

Asakusa: Tokyo’s Center of Tradition

Asakusa, a district in Tokyo, Japan, is steeped in history and known for its ancient Buddhist temple, Senso-ji. The area’s focus on preservation of historical Japanese architecture, customs, and festivals makes it a vibrant hub of tradition amidst the modern backdrop of Tokyo.

This area is like a living museum! Its narrow streets offer a glimpse into the past with traditional shops, and the iconic Kaminarimon Gate. The temple street area, also called Nakamise-dori, is lined with bustling street food stall and shops. Asakusa is PERFECT for a day of adventuring!

Doll-shaped Traditional Treats – Kimura-ya Ningyoyaki

Dating back to the Edo period. Kimura-ya is dedicated to preserving the authentic taste of ningyoyaki. It’s a fluffy cake filled with sweet red bean paste, made in their artisanal metal casts. Kimura-ya offers these treats in SUPER CUTE shapes like pigeons, 5-Storey Pagodas, Japanese Lanterns, and Raijin, the god of lightning and thunder, each symbolizing different aspects of Senso-ji’s culture and history.

Priced at a mere ¥80 each, these treats provide an affordable yet authentic taste of Asakusa Sensoji. They’re perfect for indulging in a piece of Japanese tradition without breaking the bank. They’re right at the front of temple gates, so they’re IMPOSSIBLE to miss.

Kikuya’s 100-Year Legacy: Mitarashi Yaki Dango

Right in the heart of Nakamise-doji is Kikuya, a traditional dessert shop that’s been opened for more than 100 YEARS in the Asakusa Sensoji area. With their legendary yaki dango grilling on their unique outdoor grill, it’s impossible to miss. If you’re as much a fan of traditional Japanese sweets as I am, this is a treat you can’t skip.

a circle of rice cake skewers grilling over a grill in Asakusa sensoji's street food area, Nakamise-dori

Shopkeepers selling grilled rice cakes, with a circle of rice cake skewers grilling over a grill in Asakusa sensoji's street food area, Nakamise-dori

Watching those sticky rice dumpling skewers sizzle on an open grill, the aroma wafting through the air – it’s pure bliss! The dumplings themselves are this perfect blend of soft and chewy, with a slight crunch from the char. The mitarashi sauce, with its divine mix of SWEET AND SAVORY, steals the show. Careful – the freshly grilled ones are SUPER HOT!

Asakusa Senso-ji: Reflecting on Family, Health, and Gratitude

Established in the 7th century, Asakusa Senso-ji holds the title of Tokyo’s oldest temple. Senso-ji’s main hall and iconic five-storied pagoda honors Kannon, the goddess of mercy and compassion. My family has always found peace in temples. Having had a tough few months, our visit to Senso-ji became a moment of reflection, gratitude, and praying for health and happiness

I recently saw a post reminding us that our parents are navigating life for the first time too, and it really hit home. I’m beyond thankful for the chance to explore Japan with them, stepping away from our everyday lives.

It’s truly heartwarming to see them experiencing new sights and tastes, just like they introduced me to so many firsts growing up. It feels amazing to return the favor and share new adventures together.

It was so fun drawing our fortunes at the Asakusa Sensoji. I got one with the HIGHEST LUCK! I LOVE how excited my mom is to be getting these lucky fortunes. Seeing her and my dad so excited makes me happy to be here with my family.

Kagetsudō: The Irresistible Charm of Ice Cream Melonpan

One spot in Asakusa that immediately caught my eye was Kagetsudō, famous for its heavenly melon buns, or melonpan. Melonpan is a classic Japanese sweet bun that doesn’t actually contain any melon, but looks like one. With a crisp cookie crust and a soft, fluffy interior. it’s a satisfying treat any time.

Kagetsudō modernizes this classic concept by filling their melonpan with ICE CREAM. It’s an irresistible combination of warm, freshly baked bread and cool, creamy ice cream. I’m still amazed at how they manage to get the bun so perfectly crispy on the outside, while keeping it incredibly soft and fluffy inside. The creamy ice cream inside is just the perfect finishing touch.

We ordered the ice cream melon buns in vanilla and matcha at ¥650 each. It was so good that my mom ended up enjoying a whole bun to herself! Despite the often long queue, it’s worth the wait, especially for their ice cream melonpan.

Kaminari Issa’s Unique Matcha Beer Experience

Kaminari Issa sells a wide array of matcha-infused treats, from ice cream and lattes to warabimochi and more, all showcasing the versatility of matcha. They use quality high-grade matcha sourced from Kyoto to create sweets and beverages that’s both luxurious and authentic.

Bright green matcha beer from Kaminari Issa, a matcha dessert expert

It was their matcha beer that truly caught my attention. This unique beverage perfectly embodies the spirit of innovation and tradition that Kaminari Issa is celebrated for. Unlike anything I’ve tasted before, the matcha beer is a refreshing fusion of the rich, earthy flavors of matcha with the crisp, lightness of beer. It is an absolute MUST TRY for any matcha enthusiast visiting Asakusa.

Kimizuka: The Simplicity Of Japanese Cuisine

When lunchtime rolled around, we found this incredibly charming little traditional Japanese restaurant called Kimizuka. Tucked away in the streets of Asakusa, Kimizuka is known for their traditional Japanese dishes. We had a traditional lunch set with nice, fatty grilled mackerel, the bounciest bowl of steamed rice, and miso soup. Simple, yet unbelievably delicious.

A traditional japanese meal of mackeral, rice, and miso soup at Kimizuka, a traditional Japanese restaurant in Asakusa Sensoji area

Next, we ordered a variety of their specialty miso oden. Oden is a mix of fish cakes, eggs, and veggies cooked in a clean broth. Usually, you pick and choose what you want from a large boiling pot and you’re charged by item. What completely blew me away was the TOFU! Soft, delicate, yet it’s fried outer skin perfectly soaks up the savory broth and gives it a punch of flavor.

My dad was in the mood for a steaming bowl of noodle soup, and it REALLY hit the spot for him. I can’t help but rave about Japan’s magic touch with food – turning the SIMPLEST INGREDIENTS into an extraordinary meal. It’s all about nailing those tiny details, like pairing that perfectly cooked morsel with rice for the MOST SATISFYING BITE.

This modest little restaurant has shaped the way our family sees Japanese food. It’s especially inspired me to understand Japanese food culture better. MUST TRY in Asakusa, for sure!

Asakusa’s Fish-Shaped Delights: Taikayi Guraku

After a long stroll around Asakusa’s cookware district, we stopped for a snack at a Taiyaki stall called Guraku. Taiyaki is a fish-shaped cake, a classic snack in Japan, traditionally filled with red bean paste. Guraku offer an array of taiyaki flavors beyond the classic red bean and vanilla custard, including spicy curry, cheese, and a few limited seasonal flavors.

Taiyaki, a freshly made fish-shaped treat in the streets of Asakusa

I opted for the flavor I couldn’t resist—their red bean mochi taiyaki. The crunchy fish-shaped batter perfectly holds the steaming fillings, blending the soft, chewy texture of mochi with the sweet, rich flavor of red bean paste. It was an AWESOME way to take a break and recharge after shopping.

Also, Guraku offers a Taiyaki Making Workshop. Here, you can learn how to make your own taiyaki, and fill it up with WHATEVER filling you’d like! It does require reservation, so make sure to check their website if that’s something you’d like to do!

Sushi Games: Kura Sushi’s Unique Dining Experience

A rotating conveyor belt with sushi in Kura Asakusa near sensoji

After a few hours hitting the shops, we were all in need of a good recharge. So, I took my parents to Kura Sushi, one of Tokyo’s top conveyor belt sushi chains. Kura is known for its unbeatable prices – we’re talking $1 to $2 per plate, and gatcha dinner game, where you win prizes based on plate numbers. SUCH a good deal!

There were SO MANY varieties of sushi, and ordering is so easy! You just tap your choices on a tablet and, no joke, within minutes, your food zooms right over to your table. Also, Their steamed eggs are to die for; so delicate and comforting. We tried a variety of dishes, and each was a hit!

Kura has such a warm vibe, it was the perfect spot to unwind after a day packed with activities. It was one of the most enjoyable and laid-back dinner experiences. The after-dinner game REALLY made it an engaging time. Sure, we ended up with just one prize after demolishing what felt like a mountain of plates, but it was TOTALLY worth it.

My Tokyo Diary: 8 Days of Food Adventures

Feeling incredibly blessed to share Asakusa Sensoji, and our Tokyo adventure with my family and all of you. From Tsukiji Fish Market’s delightful street foods to Shinjuku’s bustling streets, this trip has been an unforgettable experience. For a deeper dive into our journey, make sure to check out the FULL TOKYO VLOG above! For those craving more, I’ve got detailed posts on every place we’ve visited during our 8-day culinary voyage through Tokyo!