Kaminarimon, the symbol of Asakusa. The building that looks like a building block across from it is the Asakusa Culture and Tourism Center. It was renovated and reopened in April 2012 as a tourist information facility of Taito City. It provides useful information and services based on the concept of "search, show, and support. The building, with eight floors above ground and one below, offers tourist information and exhibits on culture, tourism, and industry, as well as a café and observation terrace on the top floor! You can enjoy the culture and attractions of Taito City, including Asakusa, to the fullest. You will definitely enjoy Taito City more when you come here! In this article, we will introduce the attraction of each floor.
The building has a unique design using lots of wood.
Winner of the 2012 Good Design Award. The building was designed by Kengo Kuma, who also designed the New National Stadium and the Takanawa Gateway Station on the JR Yamanote Line. The building features a "Japanese" design that looks like a series of wooden one-story buildings stacked on top of each other. The exterior walls are made of glass, so they are not heavy, giving visitors a glimpse of the inside of the building and making it easy to enter. A fusion of traditional Japanese culture and modern design. It is a building that truly matches the streetscape of Asakusa, where the old and new merge. The eye-catching exterior makes you want to enter and wonder what it is like inside. Let's go in immediately!
1F] "Information Lobby" with a atrium that lets in gentle light.
Information lobby (during daytime when the photo was taken)Inside, you may think the ceiling is normal, but the roof is sloped as seen outside! The first floor has a tourist information counter that offers services in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean. It was crowded with Japanese and foreign visitors. I would like to ask for information on not only the regular spots, but also seasonal information and off-the-beaten-track spots. Foreign currency exchange is also located on the first floor. Looking up from the 1st floor lobby to the 2nd floor. (During the daytime when the photo was taken) From the stairs going up from the 1st floor to the 2nd floor, a large monitor on the 1st floor shows information on sightseeing in Taito City (during the daytime when the photo was taken). There is an elevator to the second floor, but we recommend taking the stairs at the back right. The glass handrail of the staircase has stripes on it, which is also stylish. On the landing of the stairs are pamphlets about Tokyo and other places in Japan. You can see the Kaminarimon Gate across the street through the window glass. The boards lining the wall next to the staircase look like a checkered pattern when viewed from the front. This is another space that evokes a sense of "wa" (harmony). Pamphlets on the landing of the mezzanine floor. (During the daytime when the photo was taken)
2nd floor] Search for information while gazing at the Kaminarimon Gate! Tourist Information Corner
Right: A lot of "Taito City Recommended Review Cards" (during daytime when the photo was taken) Kaminarimon Gate seen from the 2nd floor (during daytime when the photo was taken). On the second floor, where you can also catch a glimpse of the Kaminarimon, you can read tourist information magazines for free, and Wi-Fi and information search terminals are also available for free. The many word-of-mouth recommendation cards on the walls are filled with comments such as "Yes, yes, this place is delicious! I didn't know that! I couldn't help but look at them with a sense of empathy and discovery. Please take a look at the real reviews. There is also a nursing room on this floor, so those with children can use it with peace of mind.
6th Floor] "Multipurpose space" where you can bring your own food and drinks! 6th floor] "Multipurpose space" perfect for taking a break!
Multipurpose space.Can you tell from the photo? The slope of the roof is also reflected here. On the 6th floor, which is a staircase-like hall, Asakusa geisha regularly hold ozashiki dances, lectures, and other events. When there are no events, tourist information on Taito City is shown on the screen. (Be sure to take your garbage back with you.) On the day we visited, there was a "Free Volunteer Guide" information movie playing. I have participated in this service before, and walking around with a knowledgeable guide makes your stroll more interesting and enriching. Taito City Tourism Volunteer Guide Official website is here
[7th Floor] A complete overview of Taito City! 7th Floor] Exhibition Space
Exhibition space. The stylish curtains at the back of the photo are cute with black dots when viewed up close (during the evening when the photo was taken). Here, there is a permanent display of Taito City's tourist information panels, as well as exhibition events. At this time, the exhibition was related to "shoes. There are also panel displays on the history of shoes and video presentations, and admission is free. It is a cultural event unique to Asakusa, the "town of shoes. (Information as of August 18, 2023) Also on this floor, there is an emaki (picture scroll) that was used as the basis for the Nakamise shopping street's shutter mural. The shutters of the Nakamise shopping street (380 meters long) were created in 1989 by Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music and other organizations with the aim of creating a new attraction in Asakusa that retains the atmosphere of the Edo period. I went looking for this picture scroll in the Nakamise shopping street after it was closed at night! Nakamise shutter murals *The murals on display change periodically. Asakusa Nakamise Shutter Mural When I found one identical to the picture scroll, I couldn't help but exclaim in my heart, "There it is! I exclaimed in my heart. This kind of fun is only possible because of the proximity to the Nakamise. Shutter murals that decorate the night of Nakamise. Traditional Asakusa events and seasonal scenes are depicted at each store, making it fun just to walk around. The face of the Nakamise at night, which cannot be seen during the day, has a quiet beauty. Please come for a night stroll.
8th Floor] "Observation terrace and coffee shop" recommended for both daytime and nighttime.
Observation terrace The top eight floors are a free observatory where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Kaminarimon, Senso-ji Temple, and the five-story pagoda. It is interesting to see how the Nakamise is bustling with people and the layout of the Sensoji precincts is easy to understand. Furthermore, if you move your eyes to the Sumida River side, you will see the Sky Tree right in front of you! The view during the daytime is spectacular, but the night view is also recommended. The observation terrace is open until 10:00 p.m., so you can enjoy the lit Sky Tree and the brightly illuminated Sensoji Temple precincts. It is a luxury to be able to enjoy this view for free. There is also a café next to the observation terrace where you can enjoy the view. (The cafe is open until 20:00). Nakamise shopping street seen from the observation terrace (night view) Sky Tree seen from the observation terrace (night view)
The Asakusa Culture and Tourism Center is a tourist information center that can be enjoyed just by looking at the architecture, as each floor presents a different space. There are many more parts of Asakusa that we have not been able to introduce here, but inside the building there are displays of traditional crafts, a diorama of Taito City, and other ways to further enjoy Asakusa and other parts of Taito City. The good thing about this facility is that you can drop by even if you have no purpose. If you are in Asakusa, please stop by.
