What if one short walk in Asakusa could explain all of Japanese history?
This tour goes far beyond sightseeing. At each landmark, your expert guide explains not only what you see, but why it matters—using Asakusa as a gateway to Japan’s history, beliefs, and global connections. By the end, you’ll gain a clear understanding of how Japan evolved from a closed feudal society into the modern nation it is today.
The journey begins along the Sumida River, where Japan’s long isolation and reopening to the world come alive. Learn why the Edo shogunate sealed the country for 260 years, why only the Netherlands was allowed to trade, and how Admiral Perry’s arrival reshaped Japan.
At the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, you’ll receive a clear introduction to Buddhism and Shinto, laying the foundation for what follows. At Kaminarimon Gate, discover the striking contrast between Japanese and Western dragons—and why their meanings are completely opposite.
Walking through Nakamise Street, explore Buddhist symbols and the global influence of ukiyo-e woodblock prints on European Impressionist painters. At Hozomon Gate and Senso-ji Temple, your guide highlights similarities between medieval Japan and Europe while explaining how prayer differs between Buddhism and Shinto.
The tour concludes at Asakusa Shrine, where Shinto and Buddhism have peacefully coexisted for over a thousand years—an ending that leaves many visitors deeply impressed.
