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 .
History
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 () 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.
Through such trading, many came to have a considerable amount of disposable income and as result theaters and
okiya began to spring up in nearby Asakusa.
For most of the 20th century, Asakusa remained a major entertainment district in Tokyo. The 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 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, 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 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
Asakusa has many restaurants and places to try traditional Japanese foods. One of the most popular treats is , sweet potatoes. Another special treat is , grilled fish cakes. The Suzuhiro store serves local craft beer with traditional . Asakusa is also known for spices such as and .
In a city where there are very few buildings older than 50 years because of the wartime bombing, Asakusa has a greater concentration of buildings from the 1950s and 1960s than most other areas in Tokyo do. There are traditional (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 , 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.
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 Brazilian presence in the local community and the Association of
of Asakusa is based there.
[ Tamborins.com.br (in Portuguese) ]
Although there are many festivals throughout the year in Asakusa, the most famous of them is the , also known as Sanja Festival, which takes place in May.
In this festival, (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.
Transportation
The district has two railway stations with the same name:
Education
Taitō City Board of Education operates public elementary and junior high schools.
Asakusa 1- and portions of 2- are zoned to . All of 6- and 7- and parts of 3-, 4-, and 5- are zoned to . Parts of 3-, 4-, and 5- are zoned to . Portions of 2- are zoned to . Portions of 5- are zoned to .
Asakusa 1- and 2- are zoned to . All of Asakusa 6- and 7- and portions of 3-, 4-, and 5- are zoned to . Portions of Asakusa 3-, 4-, and 5- are zoned to .
In art and literature
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Kawabata Yasunari, The Scarlet Gang of Asakusa (1930)
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Kankichi Ryotsu, protagonist of the popular anime and manga series , is born in Asakusa.
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"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.
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The anime is set in Asakusa.
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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.
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In the popular anime and manga series, , chapters 14–17 and episodes 7–10, the primary location is Taishō-period Asakusa.
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In video games, Senran Kagura is set in the fictional city of Asakusa.
See also
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Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
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Asakusa Shrine
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Hanayashiki, oldest amusement park in Japan.
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Kiuchi Kyō
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Luna Park, Tokyo
External links
