Top 9 Japanese Cultural Experiences in Asakusa, Tokyo
Asakusa is one of Tokyo’s districts, and is popular for the historic Senso-ji Temple and traditional atmosphere.
The area is reminiscent of the Edo period, a feature which attracts tourists from all over the world, which makes Asakusa a must-visit sightseeing spot in Tokyo.
Moreover, the old Senso-ji Temple and the modern Tokyo Skytree embody Asakusa’s past and present.
In this article, we will be introducing 9 best spots where you can enjoy Japanese cultural experiences in Asakusa, Tokyo!
Contents
- Food Sample Making Cafe : Make your very own realistic food samples!
- Ninja Experience Cafe Asakusa : Learn to become a ninja
- Art Fan-Making Experience : Turn that summer necessity into a souvenir
- Kimono Rental : Why not walk the traditional town of Asakusa in a kimono
- Fox Mask Painting Experience : Create your one and only fox mask
- Mizuhiki Accessory Crafting : From Japanese tradition to art
- Jinrikisha Rickshaw Tour : A way to tour around Asakusa
- Asakusa Sumo Club : Enjoy a sumo wrestling show while eating
- Ramen Soba Making Experience : Make your own noodles and eat it on the spot!
- Summary
1. Food Sample Making Cafe : Make your very own realistic food samples!
At the Food Sample Making Cafe at Asakusa, you can make your own food samples and enjoy a meal that looks exactly like the one you made.
There are a variety of realistic food samples you can make, such as omurice, spaghetti, and even desserts like crepes and jelly crepes.
Best of all, you can take the food samples home with you so you could perhaps decorate your cupboard with these food samples as small souvenirs to remind you of your Japan trip.
Also, the whole food sample making experience is done indoors, which makes it a weather-friendly experience!
Food Sample Making Cafe Official Website
2. Ninja Experience Cafe Asakusa : Learn to become a ninja
Ninja Experience Cafe Asakusa is an entertainment cafe where you can train to become a full-fledged ninja.
Due to the popularity of ninjas and the Japanese culture, Ninja Experience Cafe holds branches in Harajuku (Tokyo), Kyoto, and Osaka as well.
They are particularly recommended for foreigners.
Dress yourselves up in black ninja clothing and learn how to use shuriken, blowguns, and swords alongside a ninja.
On top of ninja training, you can also enjoy ninja food and desserts with fire with its finishing touch, which is a form of ninja technique.
The Asakusa branch also offers a special option for those who want to experience ninja training in a temple.
This is a feature unique to the Asakusa branch.
Since every training is done indoors, do not worry even if it rains!
Both children and adults are welcome!
Ninja Experience Cafe Official Website
3. Art Fan-Making Experience : Turn that summer necessity into a Japanese souvenir
Why not try your hand at decorating unique uchiwa fans (traditional Japanese fans) to bring back home?
You can use stamps, marker pens and watercolour paints to decorate your fan however you like it.
By incorporating pop designs into traditional, Japanese uchiwa fans you can create an unusual work of art.
Next summer, use these fans that you’ve so playfully decorated!
4. Kimono Rental : Why not walk the traditional town of Asakusa in a kimono
If you want to explore the traditional town of Asakusa area, why not walk around in a kimono for a more Japanese cultural experience?
Sightseeing in a kimono is sure to excite you.
Kimonos add an aesthetic touch to your social media photos with Asakusa streetscape as your backdrop, photos which would leave a lasting memory of your time in Asakusa.
Kimono patterns are also becoming modern, with an increasing number of designs that appeal to younger customers.
They are widely available for formal events like Shichi-Go-San (Japanese rite of passage) and graduation ceremonies, as well as small events like couple dates and girls’ trips.
5. Fox Mask Painting Experience : Create your one and only fox mask
Fox masks are a type of traditional Japanese mask.
It is believed that by wearing these masks, a deity resides in the body and these masks have been used in religious ceremonies.
Later on, fox masks have been used in Noh and Kagura performances as well as local toys.
Foxes are often worshipped as a messenger of the god Inari, and has long been treated as a spiritual animal.
In the fox mask painting experience, visitors can choose a fox mask of their choice (full face or half face) and add your favourite colours and designs to the white mask to create your one and only fox mask.
When the watercolour paint dries, it’s time for you to take it home!
6. Mizuhiki Accessory Crafting : From Japanese tradition to art
Mizuhiki is a Japanese artform of strings which is usually used to decorate envelopes for both congratulatory and unfortunate events.
In modern days these strings are printed on the envelopes themselves, but some envelopes still keep the tradition.
The beauty and delicacy of the curves captures the characteristics of Japanese culture.
The way they are tied and the number of knots have different meanings, and the shape of mizuhiki changes depending on the occasion.
In recent years, they are increasingly being displayed as accessories and interior decorations.
Whether you come by yourself or as a group, beginners and experts alike can enjoy this mizuhiki creation at Asakusa.
Since mizuhiki is light and small, it makes for a good souvenir as well!
7. Jinrikisha Rickshaw Tour : A way to tour around Asakusa
Two-seater ‘jinrikisha’ rickshaws are pulled by a person, and can usually be seen touring through the streets of Asakusa.
They would take you to anything you want from gourmet food, power spots to traditional Asakusa scenery.
Some discounts can be enjoyed during your birthday month as well!
Why not take a jinrikisha rickshaw ride around famous landmarks and have your photos taken to make this trip into a long lasting memory?
8. Asakusa Sumo Club : Enjoy a sumo wrestling entertainment show while eating
Asakusa Sumo Club is a place where you can enjoy chanko-nabe (hotpot) while watching a sumo show by former sumo wrestlers.
The show takes place in a real sumo ring where you can watch the various conducts of sumo up close and personal.
You can also take part in a sumo challenge yourself, simply by volunteering!
The menu includes special shoyu chanko-nabe and Morioka-style wanko soba (buckwheat noodles), both prepared under the supervision of former sumo wrestlers.
There are also karaage and inari sushi, which can be refilled.
9. Ramen Soba Making Experience : Make your own noodles and eat it on the spot!
At SOBAGIRI, visitors can experience soba noodle making and ramen noodle making using Edo period techniques.
As the noodles are made from flour, you can make very authentic noodles.
You can also taste the freshly made soba in the restaurant, right after you’ve made it, so you can enjoy soba in its freshest and most delicious state.
There are no machines used in the process, so this can be done by both children and adults.
Plant-based vegan soba noodles are also available for those who are careful about their diet.
SOBAGIRI Official Website
10. Summary
Asakusa offers a variety of Japanese cultural experiences, from food sample making to ninja experience cafes.
Please visit us when you come to Asakusa!
What are we?
We run Food Sample Making Cafe at Asakusa, Tokyo in Japan.
Here you can immerse yourself in Japanese culture through experiencing food sample making.
We will carefully teach you how to make authentic, professional-grade food samples, so everyone from adults to children can enjoy it!
Your food sample will be completed in about an hour, and you can take it home right away.
The cafe is an indoor interactive zone, so it is recommended for sightseeing on rainy or hot/cold days.
If you want to try making food samples of your own, why not join us?
Reservations can be made here.
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