Family Travel Guide: Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan – Temples, River Cruises & Old Tokyo Magic
Asakusa is where Tokyo slows down just enough for families to breathe. You still get the bright lanterns, food stalls and views of Tokyo Skytree, but it feels like you have stepped into an older version of the city where kids can wander temple grounds, snack their way down Nakamise Street and ride boats along the Sumida River.
This guide is written as a full “stay here, do that” playbook for using Asakusa as your gentle, old Tokyo base. You can pair it with Shinjuku and Shibuya for neon nights, or plant yourselves here for a calmer, temple-and-river chapter of your Tokyo trip.
Quick snapshot
- Best for: Families who want temples, lanterns, river cruises and calmer streets.
- Ideal base: 2 to 4 nights in Asakusa, paired with Shinjuku or Shibuya.
- Nearest stations: Asakusa Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Toei Asakusa Line, Tobu Skytree Line).
- Vibe: Old town atmosphere, traditional shops, snack stalls and big river views with Skytree in the background.
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Why Asakusa is such a gentle family base
Asakusa is officially part of Taito City in eastern Tokyo, sitting along the Sumida River with Sensō-ji Temple and its huge Kaminarimon gate as the main landmark. The area was a historic entertainment district and still keeps an old town, “shitamachi” feel with low-rise buildings and lots of small streets. 0
For families, that translates into:
- More walking at kid pace without crossing giant multi-lane roads all the time.
- Plenty of visual interest (lanterns, stalls, boats, rickshaws) even on a slow day.
- Easy access to big-ticket sights like Skytree and Ueno without the constant neon of Shinjuku or Shibuya.
Many families choose to pair 2–4 nights in Asakusa with a similar number in Shinjuku or Shibuya so everyone gets both “classic Tokyo” and “old Tokyo” in the same trip.
Where is Asakusa and how do we get there
- Region: Asakusa area, Taito City, on the east side of central Tokyo.
- Approximate coordinates: 35.7148° N, 139.7967° E around Sensō-ji Temple. 1
- Official local info: Go Tokyo – Asakusa area guide and Taito City tourism (Japanese, use browser translate). 2
- Japan wide planning: Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). 3
You’ll likely arrive at Haneda or Narita. From there, airport trains and buses connect to Asakusa Station or nearby Ueno. When in doubt, use your Booking.com Flights confirmation pages and station staff to double check the simplest route with luggage.
Family friendly things to do in Asakusa
1. Walk through Kaminarimon gate to Sensō-ji Temple
Start at the iconic Sensō-ji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo. Pass under the huge red lantern at Kaminarimon, follow the shopping street of Nakamise-dori and let kids look at snacks and souvenirs along the way before you reach the main temple buildings and five-story pagoda. 4
- Visit early morning or evening to avoid the heaviest day-trip crowds.
- Show kids the omikuji (paper fortunes) and purification fountains, explaining basic temple etiquette in simple language.
- Keep small coins handy for offerings if you and your kids want to participate respectfully.
2. Snack your way down Nakamise Shopping Street
Nakamise-dori is the long pathway of stalls leading from Kaminarimon to Sensō-ji. You’ll find traditional sweets, rice crackers, taiyaki, small toys and festival-style snacks. It can get busy, but it’s easy to keep kids motivated with “pick one snack at the halfway point and one at the end”.
Ask vendors if snacks contain nuts or other allergens if your family needs to be careful, and eat to one side to keep traffic moving.
3. Ride a Sumida River cruise boat
From Asakusa’s riverfront, boats run along the Sumida River toward Odaiba and other waterfront areas. Options include futuristic boats from Tokyo Cruise (Suijobus) and scenic routes from Tokyo Mizube Cruising Line. 5
- Choose shorter daytime cruises for younger kids.
- Use boats as both an attraction and transportation to mix up your transit days.
You can also compare guided river and city tours on Asakusa tours on Viator if you prefer someone else to handle the route and timing.
4. Cross to Tokyo Skytree for big views
Just across the river in Sumida Ward is Tokyo Skytree, one of the tallest towers in the world with observation decks, a shopping complex and an aquarium. 6
- Pre-book timed tickets if you are traveling in peak seasons or holidays.
- Plan Skytree on the same day as your Sumida River walk so you keep river/skyline views together in kids’ minds.
5. Explore Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
Right opposite Kaminarimon is the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, a modern wooden building designed by Kengo Kuma. Head up to the public observation deck for free views of the river, Skytree and temple roofs. Staff can also help with directions, maps and event info. 7
6. Wander the side streets and Hanayashiki Amusement Park
Just behind Sensō-ji you’ll find narrow streets with small shops, cafés and Asakusa Hanayashiki, a compact, retro amusement park that older kids and teens often love for the slightly quirky, old-school rides.
7. Kimono rental, rickshaw rides and photo walks
Asakusa is one of the easiest places to try family kimono rentals or short rickshaw rides. If that’s your style, look for well-reviewed providers and keep experiences short and fun, not full-day marathons. You can also pre-book some of these experiences through family friendly Asakusa tours on Viator.
Where to eat in Asakusa with kids
Asakusa has everything from tiny counter shops to long-established restaurants. Here are family-friendly ideas (always double check opening hours before you walk over).
Casual lunches and snacks
- Tempura at long running spots such as Daikokuya Tempura (plan for lines and maybe share dishes if you have picky eaters).
- Soba or udon noodles in simple local shops near the temple – look for plastic food displays and picture menus to make ordering easier.
- Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) for picnic supplies around the river or small parks.
Dinner ideas
- Family-style izakaya that welcome kids early in the evening – ask your hotel front desk or check reviews for family mentions.
- Modern cafés and bakeries around Asakusa Station and Skytree Town for relaxed dinners with easy dessert options afterward.
In busy temple areas, try to eat slightly earlier than local peak times (before 12:00 for lunch, before 18:00 for dinner) so you’re not waiting in line with hungry kids.
Where to stay in Asakusa with kids
The main decision in Asakusa is how close you want to be to the temple vs. the river and Skytree views. Either way, you want easy walking access to Asakusa Station.
Temple-side stays
If you want to see the lanterns and pagoda in the early morning and late evening, focus your Booking.com search around Sensō-ji. Open family hotels in Asakusa on Booking.com and filter by “family rooms” and “very good” reviews.
River & Skytree view stays
If your kids love big city skylines, look for properties closer to the Sumida River or across in the Skytree area. You can still walk or tram back to the temple, but your evenings will be all about city lights and reflections on the water.
Booking tip: choose flexible rates when you first book through your Awin / Booking.com links. A few weeks before travel, re-open your Booking.com account via your affiliate link and see if better rooms or prices have appeared.
Sample 3 day Asakusa based family itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival & first temple walk
- Arrive at Haneda or Narita, use your pre-booked Booking.com Flights details to navigate airport trains or buses into Asakusa.
- Check into your hotel and give everyone a little downtime to shower and reset.
- Walk to Kaminarimon and stroll Nakamise-dori while the lanterns begin to glow.
- Visit the main hall of Sensō-ji quietly, then circle back through side streets for an early dinner.
Day 2 – River cruise & Skytree day
- Breakfast near your hotel or from a convenience store.
- Head to the Asakusa riverfront and take a Sumida River cruise toward Odaiba or another stop that fits your energy level.
- Spend the afternoon across the river at Tokyo Skytree – observation decks, shopping and possibly the aquarium.
- Dinner back in Asakusa or at Skytree Town before riding the train home.
Day 3 – Neighborhood wandering & onward travel
- Use this day as a flex: repeat favorite stalls on Nakamise, visit Hanayashiki amusement park or wander quieter back streets.
- Consider a guided half-day tour booked via Asakusa tours on Viator if you want a local to show you hidden corners.
- When it is time to move on, use your car rental booking or rail tickets to connect to the next stop on your Japan itinerary.
Tokyo family tips that fit Asakusa
- Slower mornings: Temple areas feel more peaceful early, so flip your usual schedule and do calm walks first, busy attractions later.
- Cash & cards: Many stalls still prefer cash. Keep small bills and coins handy for snacks and omikuji.
- Strollers: Asakusa’s streets are fairly stroller-friendly, but some temple steps and older shops have stairs.
- Noise & crowds: Nakamise can feel intense at peak hours. Step sideways into side alleys or the temple grounds when kids need a break.
- Weather backup: Have indoor options ready (Skytree, Hanayashiki, cafés) for rainy or very hot days.
- Insurance: For extra peace of mind, keep your SafetyWing policy details bookmarked in case anyone needs a doctor mid-trip.
Official tourism & planning links
More Stay Here, Do That guides connected to this trip
Use Asakusa as one piece of a bigger family route through Tokyo and beyond.
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If you use this guide to plan your Tokyo trip, drop your tips in the comments on the blog. Your real-world experience helps the next family travel smarter.
