Kappabashi Street

As you walk out of the Gate Hotel in Asakusa, turn right and you'll soon be across the street from the Kaminarimon Gate leading you to the famous Senso-ji Temple.  

Turn left out of the Gate Hotel and you can make your way to the famous Kappabashi Street.

 Entrance to Kappabashi street from Asakusa.

While walking towards a destination, we sometimes used Siri, but we found that she wasn't always reliable and would take us in the wrong direction.  Google Maps seemed to be a better compass in finding our way through the busy maze of streets.

Kappabashi Street is one of my favorite places to visit in Tokyo.  The street is lined with stores  selling everything needed by restaurant owners.  There are specialized stores for dishes, pots, pans, cooking utensils, stoves, tables, chairs, signs, lanterns and more.  Some stores also sell plastic and wax food samples, used by many restaurants in their windows.

Kappabashi is not just one street.  It also breaks into other streets going in both directions.  We've visited the area three times and still have not been able to cover the entire place!

I especially enjoy looking in stores that sell different types of packaging material.  There were many beautiful bags made from paper or fabric.  Other shops sold various types of boxes that can be used for omiyage.  All items were sold at a wholesale cost.

Entrance to Kappabashi Street from the Tawaramachi Station on the Subway Ginza Line.  

What I find most charming about this area is the shopkeepers and their businesses that have been in their families for decades.  Their stores are very crowded, making it hard to walk down aisles as items pour onto the sidewalk.  I wonder, "Do they worry that anyone will steal their items outside that are left unattended?  Do they set everything up along the sidewalks every morning and then put them back at closing?"

As you walk into these little shops, you walk towards the back and find an elderly Japanese couple sitting happily as they shout out, "Irashaimase!"  And you can't help but look through all of the shelves filled with kitchen items, hoping to find a treasure to bring home. 

One of the stores on Kappabashi Street with items outside

We enjoyed looking at all the kitchen knives the stores had to offer.  My daughters also bought children's knives that they can use when helping me in the kitchen.  In one store, there was a giant stone in water where the store owner sharpened knives for customers.

Shave Ice Machines

School children taking a field trip to Kappabashi Street

I love Kappabashi Street and can't wait to go back!

Vending Machines

Should I bring my flask to Tokyo?  In Hawaii it has become a habit to carry a flask of iced water everywhere you go, especially if you have children.  We thought of bringing our water bottles to Tokyo knowing that it might be warm in June, but we made the decision to leave them at home since the goal was to pack lightly.  (Or was that my husband's goal??)

As we traveled around Tokyo, vending machines became a favorite attraction. Our kids would race to the vending machine as they offered different products at each one.  Trying all the various Japanese drinks became part of the unique Tokyo experience.

Water, Soda, Juice, Tea and Coffee can all be found in vending machines everywhere.

This apple juice was my daughter's favorite drink.  She even brought one home!

I especially liked all the different kinds of iced tea.

Vending machines are in train stations, in hotels and throughout the streets of Tokyo.

There are also vending machines selling cigarettes and alcohol.

 Bananas??

 Can you believe you can even purchase a hot meal through a vending machine?

Exploring Asakusa

When we first arrived in Asakusa, we thought the main attraction would be the Senso-Ji Temple and Nakamise.  Little did we know that there are rows and rows of shops and restaurants that surround the Kaminarimon Gate.  It was extremely convenient staying across the street at the Gate Hotel.  We would start the day walking through the mall area (arcade), then go back to the Hotel to rest.  At night, we would return to the arcade and explore the many vendors..  Having no schedule or time constraints gave us the freedom to really take the time to see all that Asakusa has to offer.

This is an amazing map of Asakusa at the visitor center made from little pieces of wood.

The Japanese call these endless streets of businesses, the "arcade."

Lots of good restaurants!

Anyone need a new pair of shoes?

We think these were Water Chestnuts.

Many people ride mopeds and bikes in this area.

We love Don Quijote!  This one was huge!

The pocket wifi comes in handy when there are 7 levels on one store.

We tried a place that offered "authentic" Japanese food.

Want some pig tongue?  Or a plate of chicken anus? 

I wish I had taken video of this man flipping his arare crackers on a wood burning grill.  As we walked up to his window we could hear the "clack, clack clack" of his sticks as he swiftly flipped the crackers over on the grill.  Later, he would dip each cracker into a secret sauce nearby.  We stood there watching him flip those crackers and later bought some to taste.  Have you ever had an arare cracker right off the grill?  The experience alone, will be one I will never forget.

Finding his booth was like discovering buried treasure in the city of Tokyo.

Senso-Ji At Night

When traveling to Japan on your own, the biggest benefit is having the freedom to revisit sites again.  We loved the Senso-Ji Temple so much that we decided to go back at night.  The Gate Hotel is nearby, and we could easily walk there after dinner!  Although we had a memorable experience during the day, the temple transformed into a tranquil place at night, free from the crowds of people.  Our second visit offered a different perspective as this Asakusa landmark lit up in the darkness.

Most of the shops on Nakamise close at 5pm.

Walking towards the Hozomon Gate

Display on the Hozomon Gate

5-Story Pagoda near the Main Hall

It was very calm and peaceful at night.

Senso-Ji Temple

As we walked up the steep stairs of the underground subway station, we could already hear the busy streets of Asakusa.  We found ourselves stepping into the fast moving foot traffic of a big city.  And after viewing many pictures of Asakusa online and reading countless reviews, it was a surreal experience to suddenly be standing before the Kaminarimon, or Thunder Gate.  

It was mid-day and there were thousands of tourists trying to get a picture in front of the huge gate with its lanterns and statues.  The Kaminarimon is the first of two entrance gates to the Senso-Ji.

Kaminarimon in the early morning

A Rickshaw pulling a Bride and Groom

After entering the first gate, we walked through a shopping street, called Nakamise.  This then leads from the outer gate to the temple's second gate, the Hozomon.  The shopping street has many Japanese souvenirs and various traditional local snacks from the Asakusa area. This picture was taken just after opening at 10:30am.  If you were to walk through in the afternoon, it can be very crowded.

School children visiting one of the stands on Nakamise

After walking through Nakamise, you will walk through the second gate, Hozomon, which leads to the temple's main hall and a 5-story pagoda.

Standing in front of the main hall.  The shrine office is to the right.

     Before walking into the main hall, you will see the shrine office that is located in front of Sensō-ji’s main temple building.  After placing a 100 yen coin through the collection box, shake the omikuji box in order to pull out a rod through the hole.  You will match the kanji to the corresponding drawer that holds your “Omikuji” or strip of paper that predicts your fortune when you make a prayer to the gods and buddhas.  The contents written on that special piece of paper shows your future. There are 7 types of results for omikuji, ranging from the best “daikichi,” to the worst “daikyou."  If you've been given a bad fortune, simply leave it behind by tying the slip to the iron rods.  The action of “tying the paper” is recommended by the temple in order to seal the fate.

 Inside the Main Hall

After leaving the main hall, there is a beautiful Japanese garden just outside.

 Please be sure to reserve a full day when visiting Senso-Ji Temple!

Asakusa Arrival

We arrived in busy Asakusa and walked to the Gate Hotel Asakusa Kaminarimon.  The Gate Hotel is in a very convienent location when exploring the Asakusa area.  It is practically across the street from the Senso-ji Temple, walking distance from Kappabashi (kitchen district) and just a train ride away from the Tokyo Skytree.    

http://www.gate-hotel.jp/english/

 There are also many shops and restaurants around the hotel area.

On the first floor of the hotel building you will find a grocery store.  This was a favorite spot for getting some quick snacks.  We spent a lot of time looking at all of the produce and delicious foods the super market had to offer. They also had a wonderful variety of bento!

Produce displayed right outside the super market.  The plums looked so good!

View from the lobby on the 13th floor of the building.

You can view the Tokyo Skytree and the Asahi Beer Headquarters in the distance.  The hotel has a rooftop terrace where people can relax and enjoy a full service bar.  You can see all of Asakusa!

Same buildings up close.  The golden building resembles a giant beer jug complete with white foam shaped white roof.  Next to it is the famous Asahi golden flame.