Asakusa, Historical district in Taitō, Japan.
Asakusa is a neighborhood in northeastern Taitō, marked by narrow lanes with wooden houses, temples, and shops selling Japanese crafts. The Nakamise pathway runs from the large red gate to the main temple and is lined with covered stalls on both sides.
The area developed in the 17th century as an entertainment quarter with theaters, teahouses, and stages for kabuki performances. After several fires and the 1923 earthquake, the area was partly rebuilt but lost its status as the city's entertainment center.
The name comes from the nearby flatlands and refers to the marshy ground where fishermen once lived. Today visitors often come dressed in kimono or yukata, especially during summer festivals when the streets fill with people in traditional clothing.
Two subway lines stop at stations with the same name and provide access to different parts of the neighborhood. Early morning visits allow quieter walks, while afternoons and evenings are much busier.
The old pleasure ground Hanayashiki began as a flower garden and later became the country's first permanent amusement park with mechanical rides. The park sits tucked behind the main streets and still retains rides from the postwar era.
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