Summer in Asakusa is a beautiful time for sightseeing… when it’s not blisteringly hot! On top of that, sudden rain and thunderstorms can change your plans at any time.
Asakusa’s indoor spots are perfect for the summer months, as they offer a cool reprieve from the harsh sun.
In this edition, we will provide a carefully curated list of indoor attractions in Asakusa where you can enjoy traditional culture and take beautiful pictures, all without braving the elements.
1. Asakusa Kaguwa | Add a bit of emotion to your Asakusa trip. A non-verbal Japanese entertainment show that combines tradition and innovation
Asakusa Kaguwa brings you into the traditional Japanese world of oiran and samurai with an exciting modern show.
This one-of-a-kind non-verbal show, blending tradition and innovation, has been highly reviewed by guests, both local and from abroad. Anyone can fully enjoy it without knowing a word of Japanese.
Photography during the show is allowed, and you can even take a commemorative photo with the dancers on stage after the show. It’s the perfect keepsake for your trip.
Vegetarian, vegan, and halal options are on the menu, so you can enter without worrying. Enjoy a comfortable, extraordinary experience perfect for hot or rainy days.
Friendly performers will greet you with a smile, so even first-time visitors can feel right at home.
Actually, I, the author of this article, am involved with the daily production of this show. Every time a customer leaves with a smile on their face, I feel a renewed desire to have more people know that an experience like this exists in Asakusa
*Reservations are given priority, but if there are seats available, you may be able to enter on the day of.
Please come and see us!
📍Tokyo-to, Taito-ku, Asakusa 1-12-10 2F
The performance schedule is on the Official Site
2. Asakusa Sumo Club | Guidance from a former sumo wrestler! An indoor spot where you can enjoy sumo culture!
Asakusa Sumo Club opened at the same time as Asakusa Kaguwa and we have become good neighbors, visiting each other’s stores often.
This interactive program features former professional sumo wrestlers demonstrating sumo rules, as well as techniques and movements that break those rules. You can also take commemorative photos in the sumo pose wearing a mawashi.
The best part of this store is that it’s not just something to watch, you actually get to move around and experience Japanese tradition.
This organization is also unique in that you can learn about the world of sumo while enjoying a meal:
There are two venues: The main building serves meals often eaten by sumo wrestlers: chanko nabe, a stew with a variety of ingredients, and wanko soba, which involves eating many small servings of soba noodles. Both of these meals are used by sumo wrestlers to gain weight and strength for competitions. The ANNEX building offers a course meal that includes chanko nabe as well as sukiyaki and tempura made with A5 wagyu. It is recommended for those looking for a more sophisticated meal.
Both venues offer English-speaking guides and are completely indoors, making it perfect for rainy and hot days.
Highly acclaimed by customers local and visiting, Asakusa Sumo Club offers both an unforgettable experience and gourmet dining.
For performance times and reservation information, please visit the Official Website
Asakusa Sumo Club https://asakusa-sumo.com/
Asakusa Sumo Club ANNEX https://asakusasumo-annex.com/
3. Iridori Photo Asakusa | Take beautiful photos indoors wearing traditional Japanese clothing
Irodori Photo Asakusa is a Japanese-style photo studio experience where you can be photographed by professional studio photographers in Asakusa-inspired costumes.
They offer a variety of photo courses including oiran transformation experience, men’s attire, and special seasonal plans. Professionals will carefully capture your likeness in a variety of sets and costumes, ensuring everyone can get a truly stunning photo.
They also have hairstylists and makeup artists in-house, so you don’t need to do any preparation yourself!
This studio also took the official dancer photos for Asakusa Kaguwa.
Not only do they make beautiful photos, but the friendly and inviting sisters who run the store also add to the appeal.
All photo shoots are indoors, making your experience comfortable in any weather.
Recommended for solo travelers, friends, couples, and families.
📍3F, Asakusa Park Rokuku Building, 2-6-14 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
For details and reservations, please visit the official website
4. Ninja Experience Café Asakusa | Become a Ninja in a Fun Entertainment Café
The Ninja Experience Café, with locations in Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo (Harajuku and Asakusa), is a ninja-themed entertainment café! You can dress up in ninja attire and take part in ninja training activities like shuriken throwing and ninjutsu. There are also signature ninja meals (Japanese style menu) and ninja-themed desserts.
It’s a fun restaurant-style spot that’s perfect for a break from sightseeing outdoors. There are English-speaking staff as well, and it’s welcoming to international visitors.
A friend of mine is also involved in the management of the café, and it’s been one of our favorite sports for a while.
It is an indoor facility, so it’s a safe bet for hot or rainy days, but there are also outdoor guide packages available.
It’s a fun, new mainstay in Asakusa that can be enjoyed by any group, whether you’re with family, friends, or as a couple.
Asakusa, Taito Ward, Tokyo (Nearest stations: Asakusa station, Tawaramachi station)
For opening hours and experience plans, please check the official website
5. Asakusa Underground Shopping Street | Showa Retro x Deep Asakusa. Japan’s Oldest Underground Shopping Mall, Also a Filming Location
Directly connected to Ginza Line Asakusa Station and Shin-Nakamise street, the Asakusa Underground Shopping Street is known as Japan’s oldest underground shopping street and is coated in retro charm.
This short, 50 meter long passageway is packed with old-fashioned izakayas, coffee shops, standing bars, and barber shops, creating an atmosphere that makes you feel like you’ve travelled back in time to the Showa era.
It’s atmosphere is beloved by filmmakers as well, and it has been used as a location in films such as A Bolt from the Blue starring Yo Oizumi and Perfect Days directed by Wim Wenders.
Yakisoba Fukuchan, featured in Perfect Days, is a favorite restaurant of Paul, an American intern at Asakusa Kaguwa. He saw the restaurant in the movie, and decided to visit it while in Japan.
This is a perfect spot for those who want to experience the deeper charms of Asakusa, away from flashy tourist destinations. This is a spot not often found in guidebooks, so it gives you a special feeling of being the only one to have discovered it.
All the passageways are indoors, so you can freely explore on hot and rainy days. However, as part of the Showa Charm, there might be leaks and slippery floors during heavy rain.
📍 Tokyo Metro Asakusa Station B1F
Conclusion | Consider indoor spots for your Asakusa sightseeing experience
When you imagine visiting Asakusa, you might think of historic Sensoji Temple or sampling the various vendors along Nakamise street.
But you get exhausted from the heat or soaked in the rain, an indoor attraction is just the thing to revive you.
All the stores we introduced here are not only comfortable and indoors but are packed with the unique traditional charm of Asakusa, allowing you to experience Japanese culture to your heart’s content.
Stopping by for a quick break between sightseeing is sure to give you wonderful memories to look back on. We hope you have a cool and enjoyable time in Asakusa!
