浅草(あさくさ)

あさくさ
noun
Asakusa (Tokyo neighborhood)
geographycultureproper-nounplace-name
1. Asakusa (downtown Tokyo neighborhood)
A historic district in northeast Tokyo, famous for 浅草寺(せんそうじ) temple, the Nakamise shopping street, and a traditional 下町(したまち) atmosphere. One of Tokyo's most-visited sightseeing areas.
Let's go to Asakusa this weekend.
浅草(あさくさ)駅(えき)から雷門(かみなりもん)まで歩(ある)いてすぐだ。
It's a short walk from Asakusa Station to Kaminarimon Gate.
For foreign tourists, Asakusa is a popular spot where they can experience the atmosphere of old Edo.

Located in Taito Ward (台東区(たいとうく)), eastern Tokyo. Centered on Sensō-ji (浅草寺(せんそうじ)), Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple.

Cultural note

  • 浅草寺(せんそうじ): Sensō-ji (the temple itself, read with on'yomi)
  • 雷門(かみなりもん): Kaminarimon (the giant red lantern gate)
  • 仲見世(なかみせ)通(どお)り: Nakamise shopping street
  • 浅草(あさくさ)花(はな)やしき: Hanayashiki amusement park

Known as a quintessential 下町(したまち) (old-Tokyo working-class district) and a center for traditional entertainment, festivals like 三社(さんじゃ)祭(まつり), and rakugo theatres. The temple's name uses the same kanji read 〈せんそう〉.