Discover Tokyo's Asakusa District in Japan

A guidebook says Asakusa is the most convincing example of Tokyo’s real face, the vibrant community of contrast. This is maybe the one and only district of the city that keeps the traditions and habits of the Ado alive.

The Ado age atmosphere is represented by the rich and various entertainment facilities, shops, restaurants and tea houses keeping the traditions and built tightly next to each other. The real magic of Asakusa is revealed at weekends.

The famous Asakusa Canon Temple stands in this district. It's worth knowing something about this famous camera brand that the Japanese word canon has nothing to do with the English canon. This is one of Buddhist characteristics which means graceful and merciful.

The entrance is the most typical art work of Japanese Buddhist architecture. It consists of wooden beams painted red. The curl beams of its roof structure follow the Chinese pattern. The temple is a popular place of pilgrimage. The scent of Sander wood incense sticks floats from the pools to the sky.

Stone lanterns have been in the yard and you can stride among the long lines of votive offerings. The 6-cm golden sculpture which is considered to be a miracle worker and was found by three fishermen in the river next to the temple is safeguarded on the altar. The memory of the fisherman is kept alive by the Sanjo galleon sanctuary and the eastern gate at the building complex.

As we can read in the volume, the art of Japan, the area with bigger and smaller temple complexes is separated from the places of everyday life by the Tori. The large gates 202 roosters perch made of artificial stone.

The celebration is called Asakusa Jinja in Japanese and is held on the 17th and 18th of May. It celebrates the simply designed sanctuary which still adheres to the various typical Japanese architectural solutions. The celebration with an amazing sight with half-naked or anciently dressed men, carry the golden portable altars and colorful relics in possession is one of the most interesting and important sanctuary celebrations of Tokyo.

In Tokyo, past and present exist together. And it's also true for trade. Beside the biggest hypermarkets and shopping centers we can find large department stores and shopping streets and what is more the traditional eastern bazaars comprised of narrow alleys.

There's a huge supply from lanterns made from rice paper through Japanese objects, silks, bags and engravings to kimonos, carvings, toys and China objects. And on the other hand, it also includes hi-tech electronic and multi-media products. While NTSC picture system, area code and 110 voltage can be problem with electronic systems, we do not have to take it into account in the case of wall paintings or jewels made from cultured pearls, fans or decorative saber.

You can be sure that you can find suitable presence among the wares of the bazaars; however, it's also worth just looking around if you do not really want to buy anything since the selection in mini shops say plenty about the average life of a country.