As one of Japan's representative tourist destinations, the Asakusa district never ceases to attract people looking for a taste of traditional downtown Tokyo. The 30 million visitors it draws each year are a testament to its popularity.
Typically, an Asakusa tour starts by entering the Kaminarimon Gate of Sensoji Temple, the district's definitive symbol and landmark. With its enormous red paper lantern hanging from the middle beam, it is one of the most recognizable sites in Japanese travel photos.
Inside is Nakamise, one of the city's oldest surviving arcades, with a history dating back to the Edo Period (1603-1868). While some shops sell tacky souvenirs targeting tourists, others are more established and have been in place for more than a century.