Tōkyō

Asakusa

Sensōji

浅草寺, 2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taitō City, Tōkyō 111-0032, Japan

Sensoji (浅草寺, Sensōji, also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple) is a Buddhist temple located in Asakusa. It is one of Tōkyō’s most colorful and popular temples.

The legend says that in the year 628, two brothers fished a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, out of the Sumida River, and even though they put the statue back into the river, it always returned to them. Consequently, Sensoji was built nearby for the goddess of Kannon. The temple was completed in 645, making it Tōkyō’s oldest temple.

Nakamise Shopping Street

仲見世商店街, 1 Chome-36-3 Asakusa, Taitō City, Tōkyō 111-0032, Japan

A shopping street of over 200 meters, called Nakamise, leads from the outer gate to the temple’s second gate, the Hozomon. Alongside typical Japanese souvenirs such as yukata and folding fans, various traditional local snacks from the Asakusa area are sold along the Nakamise.

Omotesando

Ikebukuro

Namja Town

2F-3F Namja Town, Sunshine City, World Import Mart Building, 3-Chome, Higashiikebukuro, Toshima, 170-0014 Japan

Located in Ikebukuro’s Sunshine City, the complex’s five themed areas are home to an eclectic collection of attractions, as well as a gyōza “stadium” and an “alley” dedicated to desserts.

Namjatown’s two food-themed areas are its main draws. Wander through the retro-themed Namja Gyōza Stadium to sample different types of gyōza dumplings from all over Japan, as well as some of the intricately decorated desserts at Fukubukuro Dessert Yokocho (Dessert Alley).

These were deep-fried prawns in dumpling wrappers served with a sauce containing miracle berries, which causes sour foods subsequently consumed to taste sweet.