Browse all travel guides tagged with "Old Town / Shitamachi"
KOKO HOTEL Residence Kitaueno, a 39-room hotel for families and groups with kitchens and washing machines in every room, opens between Ueno and Asakusa on February 1, 2027, with reservations open from November 2, 2026.
A private small-group tour with an English-speaking guide now takes international visitors to long-established craft shops around Ueno's Shinobazu Pond, from ¥110,000 per group of 2 to 5 people.
From November 7, 2026 to January 31, 2027, bamboo lights glow from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM around Sumida River Walk and Ushijima Shrine, with a new illumination of the Kitajukken River and a water concert on November 7. A free bamboo light workshop is held on October 31 and November 1.
Ueno Station Hostel Oriental 1, a familiar spot in Ueno for 40 years, reopens as The Centurion Sauna Rest & Stay Edo Tokyo on December 12, 2026, with a dual-heater sauna for up to 26 people and an "Edo Shitamachi Training Hall" concept inspired by sumo.
Minomachiya Co., Ltd.'s dispersed kominka hotel in Mino, Gifu Prefecture, is renaming itself from NIPPONIA Mino Merchant Town to NAE Mino on September 8, 2026, adding guided town walks, a local-news LINE account, a "Mino Najimifu" shop pass, and a share of lodging revenue donated back to the community.
Rickshaw operator Jidaiya in Asakusa is turning its traditional Kura studio into a private VR horror experience featuring SHIRAI-SAN (Stare) VR, running August 21 to September 9, 2026, as a chilling way to beat the summer heat.
Kobe no Tobira, the Kobe Tourism Bureau's platform for hands-on local travel programs, is now offering three new experiences that bring visitors closer to everyday life in Kobe and its food culture, from a market food walk in Shinkaichi to bread-making and doughnut-making classes.
A new YOKAI JAPAN Perfume Shop has opened on Tanuki-dori in Asakusa, offering fragrances built around the idea of scent as yokai energy and designed to let wearers carry the spirit of Japanese culture with them.
Starting July 23, 2026, Amanesaryo, a wagashi café in Tokyo's Sendagi neighborhood, and natural water delivery brand FRECIOUS are offering a limited-time summer menu of cold-brewed tea and wagashi made with Mt. Fuji natural water, running through September 28.
HOTEL GRAPHY NEZU's café in Tokyo's charming Yanesen neighborhood has refreshed its breakfast lineup under the theme "Comfort & Discovery," showcasing locally sourced ingredients from nearby bakeries and specialty shops. The breakfast is open not only to hotel guests but to all café visitors.
Hotel Gracery Asakusa's 1F restaurant "Bonsalute" is launching a renewed breakfast buffet from June 1, 2026, highlighted by a live kitchen serving freshly made teppan yakisoba alongside approximately 40 menu items celebrating the flavors of Asakusa's shitamachi culture.
A special exhibition of works by artist Aki Iwakawa opens at Resol Gallery Ueno, inside Hotel Risol Ueno's living lobby, from June 1 to 30, 2026. Admission is free and the gallery is open to all visitors, not just hotel guests.
Hello! This is Hina from the Holiday Travel editorial team! Our office is located in the charming Ningyocho and Suitengu area, where traditional downtown atmosphere blends with modern business life. This area is home to many individually-owned restaurants offering diverse lunch options from Japanese to Western and Chinese cuisine. Today, I'll share our top three favorite lunch spots!
Living in Asakusa, I'm excited to share one of my favorite nearby spots that's perfect for a side trip during your Asakusa visit - the charming Yanaka Ginza shopping street!
Cherry blossoms are the national flower of Japan and bloom in spring with beautiful pink blossoms. “Hanami,” or cherry blossom viewing, is a popular event in Japan to enjoy the arrival of spring. This time, among a number of cherry blossom viewing spots, we will only introduce spots where you can take pictures of the […]
Summary This time, I went to Hoppy Street in Asakusa and enjoyed bar hopping alone! Hoppy street is lined with a lot of retro izakaya shops with Showa era vibes, had so much fun of drinking from the midday! I was very happy to be able to enjoy a glass of Denki Bran, a famous […]
Asakusa is a place where Japanese traditions and culture remain strong. One of the most famous temples in the area is Senso-ji. Crowded with many tourists every day, this temple is the perfect place to experience Japanese history and culture. But Asakusa has much more to offer beyond the temple grounds. Here are 10 activities handpicked by our editorial staff who are Asakusa locals.
Monjayaki is a local dish of Tokyo known for its sizzling savory aroma, unique combination of runny consistency and crunchy texture. Here we introduce about monjayaki: how to enjoy it, and recommended some restaurants to try it. What is Monjayaki (もんじゃ焼き)? Monjayaki is a type of ‘konamono’ (food made with flour) dish, similar to takoyaki […]
Since the Edo period (1603-1868), dozeu nabe has been loved by the common people. With its rich flavor, reasonable price, and abundant nutrition, dozeu nabe has many charms. Here we introduce the characteristics and types of dozeu nabe, actual restaurants, and recommended restaurants. What is Dozeu Nabe (どぜう鍋)? Dozeu (dojo) nabe is a local dish […]
Summary This time, I went to Ningyocho, a traditional old town area, for solo bar hopping! The total bill for the two shops was 4,350 yen and both izakayas are very close to the station and are very affordable! The yakiton (grilled pork on skewers) and other pork horumon (offal) were just too good✨ *Please […]
Summary Kameido, located in eastern Tokyo, 10 min away from Akihabara station by train, is renowned for its beautiful Kameido Tenjin Shrine, famous for its stunning wisteria flowers blooming in spring. Kameido is Tokyo’s oldtown having many shopping streets around station, where you’ll find shops offering local taste like gyoza (dumplings) and offal. This time, […]
Summary This time, my friend and I went bar Hopping together! We visited Tateishi, known for its retro Showa-era neighborhoods like Drinking Alley and Nakamise Shopping Street, making it one of the most unique places we’ve ever been to! Going bar hopping alone is enjoyable, but it’s even more fun when done with friends! We […]
Summary Take a train at Tokyo Station, and in just over 30 minutes, you’ll arrive at Noge, a perfect destination for izakaya hopping! Noge in Yokohama, Kanagawa, is famous for its lively izakayas and charming retro-style streets, offering a unique and nostalgic experience with traditional Japanese dishes and diverse drink selections. This time, I explored […]
Summary Nestled in northern Tokyo, Akabane welcomes visitors with its excellent transport links, including JR and subway connections, ensuring easy access for exploring the city. The area is renowned for its vibrant shopping streets, diverse culinary scene, and a local atmosphere that provides a distinctive Tokyo experience, offering a unique blend of tradition and modernity! […]
Yanesen, a combination of three neighborhoods (Yanaka, Nezu, and Sendagi), is one of Tokyo's best-preserved old town areas. With quiet temple lanes, Nezu Shrine's tunnel of torii gates, the retro Yanaka Ginza shopping street, and hands-on experiences like Maneki-neko painting, a half-day stroll through Yanesen feels like stepping into a slower, older side of Tokyo.
Summary I have the desire to explore a part of Tokyo I haven’t discovered yet, so me and my friend took a stroll in the old town area! We hope this page will be useful for your trip planning:) *Please not that information and prices listed are subject to change. Travel Itinerary 12:50pm Asakusa Station […]
Summary This time, we went out to Ryogoku, the city of sumo wrestlers ✨! As we stepped out of the station, witnessing sumo wrestlers casually strolling about made it feel like stepping into a different world 🎶. For more details, please check this page! *Please note that information and prices listed are subject to change. […]
Summary This time, two girls went to Monzennakacho to have a drink! We went to 3 restaurants and all of them are close to the station and the food and drinks are too good! Please take a look at our selection of stores 🤍. *Please note that information and prices listed are subject to change. […]