IN THIS VIDEO you’ll see a quick look at Asakusa during the yearly three day Sanja matsuri, one of the biggest festvals in Japan.

While Asakusa is undoubtedly a tourst trap.  It is one of the best and most accesible places for getting a feeling for the part of tokyo known as “Shita Machi.”  Often translated directly as downtown thats not really a proper explanation.  Shita machi areas of Tokyo are generally older and more traditional areas that have avoided the modernization thats hit most of the rest of the areas.  As a result most affluent people avoid the areas for living but visit for a a taste of “old fashioned” Japan. In these areas you will also find surviving artisans and customs that have been edged out in trendier neighborhoods by Starbucks and brand goods shops.  To me its a little bit of a paradox that “traditional restaurants” have english language menus. 

    Asakusa one of the most famous shita machi nieghborhoods has taken that experience to almost disney like proportions to give visitors (Japanese and foreign) a look at what Tokyo used to be.  As a result many of the “traditional goods” are fabricated in china and most of the “local customs” are heavily sponsored by the tourism industry.

    Though its not exactly a real “shita machi” area in my opinion anymore, a lot of jems still lurk in the side streets that make for an excellent and easy experience.