Press release -
Tobu Railway Introduces Tokyo's Old & New
Where is the best place to go in Tokyo to find both traditional culture and modern high-tech experiences? Tokyo’s Shitamachi downtown region of course! Even just a short stroll reveals the Old and the New! From the popular ASAKUSA area, famous for Sensoji Temple – Tokyo’s oldest and largest Buddhist Temple to TOKYO SKYTREE – the world’s tallest free-standing broadcasting tower -- owned and operated by TOBU TOWER SKYTREE CO., LTD. It is a place where Edo era Japan -- 17th-19th Centuries – meets the 21st Century of today and beyond.
OLD ー ASAKUSA
From Kaminarimon, the "Thunder Gate", to the heart of Edo Culture
Sensoji Temple, an icon of Tokyo and the most photographed of Tokyo's temples, dates to 628 CE. Greeting nearly 30 million visitors in an average year, its most popular attractions include: the main hall; the five-story pagoda; the jokoro - an enormous incense burner, where pilgrims and visitors come to bathe in the healing smoke; and the Hozomon (main) and Kaminarimon (outer) gates. The shopping street leading to Sensoji, known as Nakamise-dori, is lined with nearly 90 stalls selling crafts, souvenirs, and an array of traditional-style sweet and savory snacks. This area was a bustling entertainment and shopping district during the Edo period.
To this day, visitors can watch and even try their hands at traditional crafts, including Amezaiku candy sculpting and Edo Kiriko cut glassmaking. They can also hop a historic rickshaw for an area tour, conducted in English, by a driver in traditional costume.
NEW ー TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN AND TOKYO mizumachi
An exciting food, shopping, and entertainment complex that is becoming a sybol of the "new Tokyo"
TOYKO SKYTREE TOWN is at the heart of the new “Shitamachi Exploring Plan.” It is a huge entertainment complex including Sumida Aquarium, Konica Minolta Planetarium and TOKYO Solamachi. TOKYO Solamachi, a shopping and dining heaven (more than 300 names all together!), bridges the historical and futuristic dichotomies of Japan.
On the Fourth Floor, traditional shops sell time honored souvenirs, geisha-style floral hair pins, samurai goods, plastic food replicas, washi paper stationery and more. There is even a traditional candy craft workshop and opportunities to interact with locals. At the same time, this floor also features contemporary emporiums, such as TV and anime character shops and a strawberry specialty store. As we climb to higher floors, time moves forward. For example, there is a Kaiten Sushi restaurant which attracts all age customers from all over the world.
A short ten-minute amble by foot from TOKYO Solamachi brings day-trippers and globetrotters alike to TOKYO mizumachi. Opened in June 2020, just below the TOBU SKYTREE Line, this facility includes cafés and restaurants, shops and a modern hostel.
In addition, “SUMIDA RIVER WALK,” a new pedestrian bridge that traverses the Sumida River, shortens the distance between Asakusa and TOYKO SKYTREE TOWN.
STAY ー TOBU RAILWAY'S RECCOMMENDATIONS
TOBU HOTEL LEVANT TOKYO
This polished 383-room hotel is located in the center of Tokyo's Sumida neighborhood, birthplace and life-work-place of the legendary Ukiyoe artist Hokusai Katsushika. All north-facing rooms have dramatic views of TOKYO SKYTREE and sorth-facing rooms have a panoramic view of Tokyo Tower, the Tokyo Bay area and central Tokyo.
This 3.5-star, 253-guest-room property just opened October 8, 2020! It is conveniently located at the gateway to the Asakusa area, just 1-minute walk from Asakusa Station on the TOBU SKYTREE Line and the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line. All guest rooms are equipped with ari purifiers - part if the hotel's multifaceted strategy to ensure the safety of all guests.
