27 of the Best Things to Do in Asakusa

Nakamise Shopping Street

Once you walk pass the Kaminarimon, you will find yourself on Nakamise Shopping Street (仲見世通り), is the 250 metre long road leading up from Kaminarimon to the main structures of Sensoji, a shopping street lined with countless stores selling Japanese souvenirs.

Here you can find everything from foods and delicious sweets to T-shirts and keyrings with motifs depicting Tokyo and Japan. The street can get unpleasantly crowded during peak days and hours, so avoid these times if possible. Nakamise is supposed to have a very long history, according to some sources, people started setting up shop here as Late 17th century.

Asakusa Mench

Oimoyasan Koshin

We’ll introduce some of the shops that you can enjoy the Japanese street food in Nakamise.

Meat-lovers should go to Asakusa Menchi (浅草メンチ) on Dempo Street (which runs perpendicular to Nakamise Street) and try their fried ground meat patty. It's a mixture of beef and pork, and the flavorful juice will fill your mouth on the first bite.
Those with a sweet tooth should check out Oimoyasan Koshin (おいもやさん興伸) for its daigakuimo, a deep-fried sweet potato caramelized with sweet syrup.

Nakamise-dori Street

Tokyo Taitou-ku Asakusa

【URL】http://asakusa-nakamise.jp/e-index.html

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Sensoji

Sensoji

Asakusa hosts one of the most famous and popular temples in Tokyo.
Sensoji dates back to 628, when it was built as a place to worship Kannon, the goddess of mercy. The current temple structures dates back to 1958.
Today, thousands of people visit Sensoji every year, with many of them first making a stop at the Kaminarimon (雷門) (“Thunder Gates”), the main gate in front of the temple, is usually crowded with people posing for photographs before heading down Nakamise, the street that leads to the main temple buildings.

Sensoji also contains Asakusa-jinja, a Shinto shrine located within the temple grounds. The area is particularly vibrant during Sanja Matsuri, the biggest festival in Tokyo, taking place over four days in late spring.

浅草寺

東京都台東区浅草2-3-1

0338420181

【URL】http://www.senso-ji.jp/

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Dress up in a Kimono and Stroll around Asakusa

If you would like to dress up in the most traditional of Japanese fashion, Asakusa is a good place to do so. Tokyo Asakusa Kimono Rental YAE (東京浅草着物レンタル八重) is only two minutes’ walk from the Kaminarion and offers a packaged kimono experience for both men and women.

Just come as you are and they will help fit your kimono appropriately and provide all the necessary garments and accessories.
The price varies depending on the type of kimono but the basic package is only about 5,000 yen, including hairstyling. If you want to feel extra special, you can also ask for a rickshaw ride at an extra cost.

Asakusa Kimono Rental 「Yae」

Tokyo Taito-ku Asakusa 1-16-2 Quatre Chic 6F

0368864256

【URL】https://yae-japan.com/en/

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Take a Rickshaw Tour

The rickshaw is said to have been invented in Japan in the late 19th century as a convenient mode of transportation – “rickshaw” literally means “human-powered vehicle (人力車)”.
You can easily find these two-wheeled vehicles parked around Asakusa Station and the Kaminarimon, with cheerful rickshaw men inviting prospective passengers.

A ride usually requires no reservation and you can make the arrangement on the spot. Ebisuya (えびす屋) is the largest rickshaw company in the area, with comfortable and entertaining rides at reasonable prices. For a one block tour (which usually runs for about 15 minutes), it's 3,000 yen per passenger and 4,000 yen for two.

Ebisuya Kaminarimon

Tokyo Taito-ku Asakusa 1-chome 20-4

03-3847-4443

【URL】http://ebisuya.com/en/index.html

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Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center

Panoramic View

Across the street from Kaminarimon you will find this impressive structure designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma.
Beside friendly staff offering information in several different languages, the building also contains event spaces with exhibitions and movie screenings related to the local culture.

The tourist information centre also offers a nursing room as well as free wifi and power outlets where you can recharge your phone, camera or laptop.
If you're visiting Asakusa on a weekend, you can join an hour long English guided tour operated by local volunteers. The tour takes place at 11:00 and 14:00, and requires no reservation.

On the top floor there’s a small café and free observation deck providing good views of both Sensoji and Tokyo Sky Tree. This is a recommended spot where you can see the entire Nakamise shopping street leading to Sensoji.

Taito City Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center

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Tokyo Taitou-ku Kaminarimon 2-18-9

0338425566

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Asakusa Gyukatsu

Being one of the most historic towns in Tokyo, Asakusa has many traditional Japanese restaurants.
Asakusa Gyukatsu (浅草牛かつ), which is located directly across the street from the Kaminarimon, offers deep-fried rare beef cutlets called gyukatsu.
Depending on your preference, you can cook the beef yourself on a heated stone grill.

Sometaro (染太郎) is an okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancake) restaurant in Nishiasakusa. Here, you can enjoy authentic okonomiyaki, as well as a traditional Japanese ambience that will make you feel like you've stepped back in time to the Showa era.


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Where to Eat in Asakusa
Asakusa offers plenty of choice for the hungry traveller. There’s a great selection of local Izakayas…

Sometaro

Sometaro

浅草牛かつ

東京都台東区雷門2-17-10 雷門上村ビルB1F

03-3842-1800

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風流お好み焼 染太郎

東京都台東区西浅草2-2-2

0338449502

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Nishisando Shotengai

Asakusa has several traditional shopping streets (Shotengai 商店街) selling a wide range of traditional Japanese products – everything from kimonos to umbrellas and traditional Japanese wooden geta footwear.
Exploring these streets is a very pleasant experience no matter if you’re actually here to shop or just to indulge in some people watching.

Below Asakusa you will also find one of the oldest underground shopping streets in Japan – Asakusa Chika Shotengai, worth a visit for its retro showa era ambience. In addition, there are the Nishisando Shotengai and the Hisago Shotengai behind the Sensoji.

Asakusa Nishisando Shopping Street

Tokyo Taito-ku Asakusa 2-7-13

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Asakura Kingyo

Asakura Kingyo

Goldfish scooping is one of the most popular activities in Japan during the summer festival season but here in Asakura Kingyo (浅草きんぎょ), you can try catching them all year round.
You can play the game for 300 yen and it comes with three paper scoopers called poi.

Using the poi, you can try to scoop the goldfish from the pool into a bowl. Once you succeed, you can take the goldfish home.
At Asakusa Kingyo, they prepare two types of poi for customers: those who just want to play get thicker ones while serious hunters get thinner ones, which tend to break easily.

Asakusa Kingyo

3.0

2 Reviews

Tokyo Taito-ku Asakusa 2-7-13

0338475251

【URL】https://asakusa-kingyo.crayonsite.net/

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Marugoto Nippon

Marugoto Nippon

Marugoto Nippon opened in the end of 2015 and contains a number of shops selling locally produced products from regional areas of Japan. The first floor contains a number of stands selling fresh foods, most of which can be sampled and or eaten right away, as well as a mini supermarket ,Kura (蔵), with countless local ingredients that are difficult to find anywhere elset.

Kura sells more than 2,000 food products including seasonings, snacks, and alcohol.Their selection of sake in particular is impressive. On the second floor, you can shop for local handicrafts and designers goods, and on the third floor, you will find an event space as well as a café and a school offering cooking classes (reservations required).

Kura

まるごとにっぽん

東京都台東区浅草2丁目

0338450510

【URL】https://marugotonippon.com/

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Ameshin

Amezaiku (飴細工) is a traditional candy sculpture that brings joy to the eyes, as well as to the taste buds.
The candy is made using heated sugar and professional craftsmen shape them into animals like birds, goldfish, and rabbits using their bare hands and Japanese scissors.
Ameshin's Hanakawado shop (アメシン花川戸店) offers workshops where you can get your hands sticky and sweet while learning how to make this edible art.

Ameshin

Asakusa Amezaiku Ameshin Asakusa Head Office and Workshop

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Tokyo Taitou-ku Imado 1-4-31F

08093730644

11:00-18:00

【URL】http://www.ame-shin.com/en/

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Try the most intense Matcha Gelato

Although matcha is now an internationally-known flavor, there's no reason not to try it in its home country. Here at Suzukien (壽々喜園), they offer seven different intensity levels of matcha-flavored gelato.

Level 7 is supposed to be the richest matcha flavor that you can get in the world. They also offer other Japanese flavors, such as hojicha (roasted green tea), genmaicha (brown rice tea), and black sesame.

Suzukien Asakusa

Tokyo Taitou-ku Asakusa 3-4-3

0338730311

11:00-17:00

【URL】http://www.tocha.co.jp/index.html

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Explore the Old Shitamachi Backstreets

Asakusa is a traditional Shitamachi, or working class neighbourhood.
Back in the day, this was where lower-class merchants and poorer Tokyoites lived.
Today, Asakusa isn’t really a particularly cheap district anymore, but it still retains much of its heritage.

Sure, many parts of the neighbourhood are full of visitors and tourist-centric shops, but you don’t have to venture far to find charming back streets lined with bars and restaurants where mostly locals hang out.
Particularly at night, once most visitors have left the area, the entire neighbourhood drastically changes character. We highly recommend you stick around and explore it first hand, if you have the time.

Orange Street Shopping Street Promotion Cooperative Road

Tokyo Taito-ku Asakusa 1-chome 39-2

0338410931

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CafeRest' Cuzn Home Ground

CafeRest' Cuzn Home Ground

Located in the Hisago-dori Shotengai (ひさご通り商店街) shopping arcade behind Sensoji, CafeRest' Cuzn Home Ground is the perfect place to relax between your sightseeing activities.
They open from 12pm to 5am and offer a wide variety of dishes that include taco rice (taco fillings and Japanese rice), pizza, and dry curry.
At night, the cafe turns into a bar where you can hang out with the friendly English-speaking staff, locals and backpackers from the nearby hostels.

CafeRest' Cuzn Home Ground

CafeRest' Cuzn Home Ground

CafeRest'Cuzn Homeground

東京都台東区浅草2-17-9

03-5246-4380

【URL】https://www.homeground.jpn.com/

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Tokyo Hotarudo

Tokyo Hotarudo

Tokyo Hotarudo

Tucked away between an oyster restaurant and a performance theatre, Tokyo Hotarudo (東京蛍堂) houses a fine collection of rare-find antiques that include kimonos, accessories, and hats.
As you walk in, you'll feel like you’ve traveled back to the Taisho era when Japan experienced an influx of Western culture and drew aesthetic inspiration from modernism.

Soi

Soi

Soi

Soi offers well-curated, antique homewares and minimalistic ceramics, as well as store-original tenugui (Japanese washcloths), with more than 40 different patterns available.
Made of soft, quick-dry material, tenugui can be used as a table wipe, headband, or a wrapping cloth. The store shares an entrance with a coffee shop, which is on the left side of the building.

Tokyo Hotarudo

Tokyo Taitou-ku Asakusa 1-41-8

0338457563

【URL】http://tokyohotarudo.com/

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soi

Tokyo Taito-ku Nishiasakusa 3-25-11 KAPPABASHI COFFEE&BAR 1F

0368027732

【URL】http://www.soi-2.jp/

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Shop for Unique Homeware items in Kappabashi

Niimi

Kappabashi (かっぱ橋) (which is locally known as “kitchen town”) is an 800 meter long street that’s filled with specialty shops.
The street's name is believed to come from Kappa (a Japanese mythological creature), which saved the nearby Sumida River from flooding. Approaching Kappabashi from Tawaramachi Station, you'll soon notice the oldest shop in the area – Niimi (ニイミ), with a huge chef statue on the roof.

You can find lots of kitchen equipment here, including helpful widgets you never knew you needed.
If you're a coffee-lover, you can't miss Union (ユニオン).
This coffee specialty store offers an extensive collection of brewing equipment that will make your coffee time extra pleasant.
Kappabasi And about 170 shops are located along Kappabashi with the majority only open on weekdays.


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A Walk Down Kappabashi Street
Tucked between Ueno and Asakusa is the century old Kappabashi Street, a shopping street for food service and restaurant workers…

Niimi

Kappabashi Dougu Street (R)

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Tokyo Taitou-ku Nishiasakusa 1

0338441225

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【URL】http://www.kappabashi.or.jp/en/index.html

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Visit Sumida Park for the best cherry blossom views

If you are lucky enough to catch the cherry blossom season in Tokyo, remember to visit Sumida Park (隅田公園).
Late March to early April is usually the season and in Sumida Park you can see more than 1,000 cherry blossom trees bursting into bloom.
At night time, you can also see the cherry blossoms lit-up with the illuminated Tokyo Skytree in the background.

Sumida Park

Tokyo Taitou-ku Hanakawado 1 other

0352461111

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Ride a Water Bus along the Sumida River

Ride a Water Bus along the Sumida River

If you want to enjoy sightseeing in Asakusa from a different angle, hop on one of the water buses that run along Sumida River to Tokyo Bay.
From the Asakusa Pier, you can travel to places like Odaiba or the Hamarikyu Gardens for around 1,000 yen.
Each journey is between 40 and 70 minutes in duration, accompanied by panoramic views of the city.

The peak time is between 1pm and 3pm, so it's better to go in the morning or late afternoon if you want to avoid the crowds.
Special night cruises are also available during the cherry blossom season (usually late March to early April).


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Riding Tokyo's Water Buses
From bullet trains, subways, buses, and go karts, Tokyo truly has everything covered in the public transportation department. But…

Ride a Water Bus along the Sumida River

Tokyo Cruise Ship

Tokyo Taitou-ku Hanakawado 1-1-1

0120-977-311

Depends on the route (from A…

【URL】http://www.suijobus.co.jp/en/

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Take a Shuttle Bus to the Tokyo Skytree

The Tokyo Skytree can easily be seen from Asakusa but when you try to walk there, it takes about 20 minutes.
For a simple trip to the Tokyo Skytree, take a shuttle bus operated by Tobu Bus. There are six bus stops in Asakusa, including beside the Kaminarimon and Azumabashi, and the bus operates every 15-20 minutes.

For a single ride, it's 220 yen for adults and you pay as you board. If you have the Suica smart card and are taking the bus more than twice, you can purchase a one-day pass onboard, which is only 420 yen.



URL : http://www.tobu-bus.com/en/skytree/ueno_asakusa.html

From the bicycle park roof top beside Oshiage station

Taking a good shot of the Tokyo Skytree can be tricky due to its height and surrounding buildings.
From the Asakusa side of Sumida Park, you can capture a shot of the Skytree and the Asahi Beer Headquarters Building with its iconic golden landmark.

If you want to take a photo of the Skytree, as well as its reflection on the river, go to Jukkenbashi, which is a 10-minute walk from the Skytree.
For a close, low-angle shot of the Skytree, go to the bicycle park roof top beside Oshiage station.

Sumida Park

Tokyo Taitou-ku Hanakawado 1 other

0352461111

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Jukkenbashi Bridge

Tokyo Sumida-ku Narihira 5- Bunka 1

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Oshiage Ekimae Bicycle Parking Area

Tokyo Sumida-ku Oshiage 1-8-25

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Sumida Aquarium　すみだ水族館

Sumida Aquarium is one of the most modern facilities in Tokyo where you can see all kind of interesting sea creatures.
They have a big space where you can get up close and personal with a colony of 30 or so penguins, as well as an interesting section dedicated to exotic kinds of goldfish.

Expect to spend 2-3 hours here, if you’re planning to explore everything that’s on offer. Admission is 2,050 yen for adults and the aquarium is open all year round from 9am to 9pm (last admission at 8pm).

Sumida Aquarium　

Sumida Aquarium　

SUMIDA AQUARIUM

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Tokyo Sumida-ku Oshiage 1-1-2 Tokyo Sky Tree Town/Sola Machi 5/6 F

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Skytree Terrace

Opening in 2012, the Tokyo Skytree took the throne from the Tokyo Tower as the tallest tourist attraction in Japan.
From this 634 meter high television broadcasting tower, you can enjoy the best night views of the metropolis.

The Skytree Terrace (formerly used as a maintenance area) is now open to the public as an open-air observatory.
At this 155 meter high point, tourists can participate in a guided tour to gain a deeper insight into the structure and the surrounding sights.

Observation Deck

Tokyo Sky Tree features two observation decks at 350 metres and 450 metres above sea level, both of which provide amazing views of the city, the surrounding Kanto plains, and if the weather permits also Mt Fuji in the distance. Both of which will make you marvel at the illuminated skyscrapers after sunset.


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Skytree Terrace Tour
Open in 2012, Tokyo Skytree is the world’s largest tower standing at 634 meters. The tower is located in Sumida and is known for its colorful evening lights. …

Tokyo Skytree (R)

Tokyo Sumida-ku Oshiage 1-1-2

0570550634

[Observatory] 10:00-21:00 (L…

【URL】http://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/event/special/skytreeterracetour/en.html

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[Official Partner] Tokyo Skytree® Tickets-Skip The Line Reserved Tickets

¥3,000

Update date：2023/08/15

Kamiya Bar

Denki Bran

Established in 1880, the Kamiya Bar (神谷バー) has been serving locals and tourists ever since and is the oldest Western style bar in Japan.
The speciality of the house is called Denki Bran (電気ブラン) (“Electric Brandy”) - a sweet blend of wine, gin and brandy - that’s priced at 270 yen per glass.
One tip for drinking here is to chase your electric brandy with a beer, as this is how the locals drink it.

Kamiya Bar

Tokyo Taitou-ku Asakusa 1-1-1

0338415400

11:30-22:00(L.O.21:30)

【URL】http://www.kamiya-bar.com/

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Takahashi

Tonpei

Hoppy Street (ホッピー通り), situated to the west of Sensoji, is home to many old-fashioned taverns that offer drinks at reasonable rates.
The name of the street comes from a classic beer like beverage called hoppy, which used to be a popular drink in the old days.

Another local specialty here is motsuni (もつ煮) (beef tripe stew) and you can try it at Tonpei (とん平). Or if you’d prefer to try a wide range of sashimi, such as horse, whale, and tuna, head to Takahashi (高橋).

Hoppy Street

Hoppy Street

Tokyo Taito-ku Asakusa 2-3-19

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BUNKA HOSTEL TOKYO

BUNKA HOSTEL TOKYO

If you are looking for a peaceful yet hip place to stay in the Asakusa area, BUNKA HOSTEL TOKYO is ideal.
The hostel mainly consists of rooms (from 3,000 yen), with large bunk beds that will comfort weary travelers.
Once a commercial building and now a modern structure with a mix of Japanese and modern influences, the hostel attracts discerning travelers from all over the world.


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Hotels Around Sensoji and Asakusa
One of the oldest pockets of Tokyo, Asakusa is also one of the most fascinating. From the well-trafficked streets surrounding the downtown Asakusa area…

BUNKA HOSTEL TOKYO

BUNKA HOSTEL TOKYO

1 13 5 ASAKUSA TAITO KU,

0358063444

【URL】https://bunkahostel.jp/

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Hozuki Ichi Festival

Hozuki Ichi Festival

Summer festivals in Japan come with a long history. At Sensoji, July 9th and 10th is believed to be a special day where you can earn 46,000 days worth of blessings if you visit the temple.
Hozuki is a red, lantern-shaped flower and legend has it that swallowing the flower is a remedy for even incurable ailments.
Along with the flower stalls and food vendors, many worshippers visit the temple during Hozuki Ichi (ほおずき市) (July 9th and 10th) to pray for lifelong goodwill.

Asakusa Terakinryunomai

Tokyo Met. Taitou-ku Asakusa 2-chome 3-1

0338441221

【URL】http://www.senso-ji.jp/annual_event/13.html

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Sanja Matsuri

Sanja Matsuri

Sanja Matsuri (三社祭) is an annual festival at the Asakusa Shrine that takes place every third weekend in May.
This festival features about 100 portable shrines called mikoshi, with mikoshi bearers parading around Asakusa to bring good fortune.
The festival starts on the Friday afternoon (which tends to be less crowded than the following two days) and you can see a big procession of priests, dancers, and musicians.

Those who want to see many mikoshi should go to the Kaminarimon on the Saturday around 14:00, as many of them gather to be blessed at the Sensoji and Asakusa Shrine.

Asakusa Shrine

4.5

1344 Reviews

Tokyo Taitou-ku Asakusa 2-3-1

0338441575

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【URL】https://www.asakusajinja.jp/english/

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Tori no ichi Festival

Kumade (Image)

The Tori no ichi Festival (酉の市) (translating as “rooster market”) is said to have originated at the Otori Shrine in Asakusa and is for those who wish for prosperity and success in business.
It is held in November every year on the days of the rooster in the Chinese zodiac calendar, which will be on November 8th and 20th this year.

The most important element of the festival is the kumade (a colorfully decorated bamboo rake) that’s sold by many vendors. In the past, the primary purchasers of Kumade were business owners but nowadays, many people come looking for a kumade to boost their fortunes.
You can enjoy the festival gourmet at the stalls around the shrine all day long, 24 hours.

Otori-jinja Shrine (Asakusa Tori-no-ichi Fair)

Tokyo Taitou-ku Senzoku 3-18-7

0338760010

Admission feeAll day availab…

【URL】https://www.otorisama.or.jp/english.html

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