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Location of Taito:
Taito ward is one of the 23 wards of Tokyo, located in central Tokyo. The neighborhood is known as Taito City. It is also familiar to foreigners as Taito Tokyo has numerous tourist spots.
Taito is one of the wards of Tokyo Metropolitan, famous for the Ueno Zoo, Ameyoko Shopping Street, Ueno Museums, and Asakusa.
Taito Ward is located east of Chiyoda and Bunkyo. Other bordering neighborhood wards are such as Arakawa, Chuo, and Sumida.
It is a special ward in Tokyo. Taito Ward is the smallest ward in Tokyo.
Population:200,486
Area:10.11 km2
In short, some of the famous areas of Taito are Ueno, Asakusa, Kuramae, Okamachi, Asakusabashi, and Yanaka.
Background:
On March 15, 1947, the Taito ward was founded to merge the Asakusa and Shitaya wards during the Tokyo City transformation into Tokyo Metropolis.
Tourist attraction:
Taito City is the main center of Tokyo tourist attractions. Ueno and Asakusa two areas hold several famous festivals every year. Not only festivals but also numerous attractions are located in these two areas. Most of the Tokyo tours and sightseeing activities related to these areas are popular among Tokyo tourists.
1) Ueno:
There are many remarkable things to do and see in Ueno.
Ueno has many tourist spots, including Zoo, museums, a shopping center, a shopping street, Amika Street, parks, lakes, and temples.
However, some of the places which tourists are interested in usually
Ueno Museums and Ueno Zoo.
Some of the famous museums in Ueno which tourist love to visit daily; Amuse Museum, Asakura Museum of Sculpture, Daimyo Clock Museum, National Museum of Western Art, National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Tokyo National Museum, Kuroda Memorial Hall, Ueno Royal Museum, and Yokoyama Taikan Memorial Hall are worthy of being mentioned as Tokyo tourists attractions list.
Furthermore, a collection of lush, verdant spaces awaits tourists in Tokyo. Ueno Park, Yanaka Park, Sumida Park, and Asakusa Park stand out as must-visit destinations, each steeped in a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural richness.
In particular, Ueno Park is a hub of cultural and festive activities throughout the year. It becomes a spectacular sight during the Cherry Blossom Festival when its pathways are carpeted with delicate, pink sakura petals. Ueno Park also hosts various annual food festivals, becoming a gastronomic paradise where visitors can taste Japan’s rich culinary traditions and innovative creations. Whether it’s to enjoy nature’s tranquility or participate in vibrant festivities, Ueno Park offers something for every traveler.
Ueno Ameyoko Shopping Street is a famous shopping street in Ueno. The street is the most popular shopping streets in Taito Tokyo, as well as in the whole Tokyo Metropolitan.
The secret behind being famous is its location and low prices. Besides, all types of goods are available, whatever people try to do shopping, such as raw vegetables, dresses, electronics, and toys.
Most importantly, most of the goods are low prices in Ueno Ameyoko Street. The cost of a big fish in Ameyoko is 500 Yen. Similarly, the cost of a pair of shoes is 300 Yen.
Besides, there is a market called Asian Market, very famous to Asian foreigners.
Also, there is a Yodobashi Camera for electronic shopping. Besides, there is a Japanese most popular fashion brand UNIQLO and many local and International food-items restaurants.
Moreover, the whole area is a vast shopping area. The tourists who visit Tokyo try to see Ameyoko street at least one time.
Ameyoko Asian Market:
The Asian market is an underground market, located in Ameyoko Shopping Street. It is a market of raw vegetables, spices, meats, and fishes.
It is essential to mention here that Japanese foods are usually sweet because they do not like spicy foods. On the other hand, most of the citizens of Asian countries such as India, Srilanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, like spicy foods.
Similarly, because of cultural differences, some foods are different. But this small Asian market supplies some items such as spices and vegetables not available in Japan.
Besides, some other items such as snails, crabs, frogs, pig legs, and intestines are available.
Moreover, it is a crowded market. All people do not go shopping but want to visit experience what other Asian people want to eat.
If you are not in a hurry, it is worth visiting for a moment while you are in Ameyoko Shopping Street.
b) Ueno Park:
Ueno Park is enormous. It takes more than two hours to make a round walk around the park without stopping, but it isn’t easy to visit all the historical and tourist interesting points of Ueno Park in a day.
However, Ueno Park is not merely a park; instead, it is a park with many famous museums and temples. These museums and temples made Ueno Park more beautiful than any other parks in Tokyo.
Also, there is a big pond in the eastern part of the park where people can enjoy boats in the water; but the park’s western portion is with all museums and temples.
In addition, there is a big Zoo thoroughly familiar as Ueno Zoo, where visitors can enjoy the different types of birds and animals.
However, it is better to give a few lines about some of the museums of Ueno.
c) National Museum of Western Art:
The National Museum of Western Art is a World Heritage, located in the western part of the Ueno Park, Taito Tokyo.
It was established in 1959, developed with the collections of Kojiro Matsukata. The museum is dedicated to western art.
In addition, old art and some of the 19-20 century paintings have been included in the museum. Visitors can enjoy from Jackson Pollock and Pablo Picasso to Monet.
In addition, I always suggest purchasing museum tickets online in advance to my readers, if possible. Otherwise, you may miss your chance to visit the museums. Purchasing museum tickets online in advance saves ensure your visit.
d) Tokyo National Museum:
The Tokyo National Museum, located in Ueno Park, is the oldest in Japan. The museum is not only the oldest but also the largest museum in Japan, established in 1872.
The name of the Tokyo National Museum became in 2001. The museum had several names before, such as the Museum of the Ministry of Education, Sixth Bureau of the Home Ministry, Tokyo Imperial Household Museum, and Tokyo National Museum.
However, it is hard to write all the history in a simple post. But after hearing some of the museum’s names, anyone can guess the importance of the museum.
Besides, the National Museum is considered one of the world’s largest art museums with more than 110,000 collections of artwork and archeological artifacts.
The museum’s most important collections are about Silk Road, Japanese National Treasures, and Greco-Buddhist arts.
Besides, the museum holds 644 important Cultural Properties, 89 National Treasures of Japan, and 319 Horyoji Treasures.
But never forget to buy National Museum Tickets online. Otherwise, you may miss or waste your precious time in the long queue.
e) Toshogu Shrine:
The Ueno Toshogu Shrine, a Shinto Shrine, is located in the Western part of the Ueno Park, built-in 1616.
Moreover, it is one of Japan’s most historical shrines, established by Tokugawa Shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyasu, the Edo Shogunate’s first Shogun and founder.
In addition, its majestic bronze lanterns make visitors sense 17-century Japanese culture. Besides, the entrance starts through a shrine gate, which is only a few steps away from Ueno Zoo.
After the renovation in 2013, the Toshugo Shrine even looks gorgeous than before. It is worth visiting once during your Tokyo trip.
2) Asakusa:
There are many famous temples in Taito City, one of the districts in Taito is Asakusa. Some of the famous temples in Asakusa are Senso-ji, Asakusa Shrine, Akiba Shrine, Kishibojin, and Zensho-an.
Besides, Kaminarimon, Nakamise shopping Street, Orange Street, Kappabashi-Dori, and Sumida River sidewalk are famous in Asakusa.
Similarly, tours such as the traditional Japanese Rickshaw Tour and Sumida River Cruise tours are also famous in Asakusa.
Also, shopping malls like Don Quijote, Marugoto Nippon, Matsuya, and Asakusa Rocks are famous in Asakusa.
Asakusa is the only Traditional Japanese district where tourists can experience pure Japanese culture and shop in Asakusa. Tourists also can see and buy Traditional Japanese goods from the shops.
Besides, the Sanja Matsuri festival, Samba festival, and Japanese New Year (Hatsumode) are famous in Asakusa.
a) Senso-ji Temple:
The Senso-ji Temples is the oldest temple in Tokyo, established in 7-century.
According to history, two brothers, Hinokuman Hamanari and his brother Hinokuma Takenari, who were fishermen, were fishing the Sumida river in the early morning on March 18, 628. They found a Statue of Bodhisattva Kannon(female figure Buddha) in their fishing net.
And, a wealthy man, Hajino Nakamoto, heard what two fishermen caught in the Sumida River. He preached Buddhism to the two brothers. Later, two brothers converted to Buddhism.
As a result, the wealthy man and two fishermen devoted to Buddhism kept the statue in a small temple, which is nowadays Asakusa Senso-ji Temple.
However, the temple remains popular with local and international visitors, which holds numerous festivals every year, and millions of people visit for their better future.
b) Azumabashi Bridge:
The Azumabashi Bridge is the hidden Jam in Asakusa. Visiting Asakusa cannot be fulfilled without keeping foot-steps on Azumabashi Bridge.
The most famous Asakusa picture, viral in the world, headquarters of Asahi beer, the Sumida city Government office, and Skytree is only seen from Azumabashi Bridge.
In a word, it is a place of taking selfies in Asakusa.
Who did not take a selfie or a picture from this bridge? Millions of selfies and pictures are taken from this bridge by the tourists.
Never forget to visit the Azumabashi Bridge to enjoy the Sumida River’s beautiful scenery and take pictures of the three famous buildings together that I mentioned above.
c) Asakusa Nakamise Shopping Street:
The Asakusa Nakamise Shopping Street is one of the famous tourist spots in Taito Tokyo, located in Asakusa.
In addition, this shopping street runs 250 meters long on the main approach to the main Senjo-ji Temple. Both sides, right and left full of traditional sweets, snacks, toys, souvenirs, dresses, and soft drinks shops.
It is important to note that Nakamise Shopping Street is a part of Senso-ji Temple’s area. On the northern side is the inner gate Hozomon and the southern side is Kaminarimon, near Asakusa’s main road. The middle of these two gates is called Nakamise Shopping Street.
However, Nakamise Shopping Street has 35 shops on the left (west during the temple entrance) and 89 shops on the right ( east during the temple entrance from Kaminarimon).
In conclusion, it is congested like Ueno Ameyoko Shopping Street, but the goods are different. There are no raw vegetables or raw meat or fish here.
Besides, there is a trendy tour in Asakusa called the Rickshaw Tour. It is a traditional Japanese Rickshaw, popular with local and international tourists.
3) Yanaka, Okamachi, Kuramae and Asakusabashi:
These four areas are not very popular with tourists. But there are many things to see in these areas too.
However, Yanaka Ginza Street is worth visiting. It has an extensive collection of traditional shops and restaurants and is closer to the Bunkyo Ward, Sendagi Station, and Nippori Station, Arakawa Ward.
Remember to visit the unseen Tokyo district Sanya if you’re at Yanaka Ginza.
4) Famous Festivals in Taito:
Sumida River Fireworks Festival, Asakusa Samba Carnival, Torigoe Shrine Matsuri, and Sanja Matsuri are the most famous festivals in Taito Tokyo.
In short, all of the festivals mentioned above are very famous in Tokyo. Millions of local and international tourists gather during these festivals in Asakusa every year.
Most of the main roads are blocked to control traffic and make comfortable access to visitors. Tourists enjoy the festivals without worrying about traffic jams in Asakusa.
During the festival Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise Shopping Street, Orange Street, and Hanayashiki Amusement Park. This Amusement Park is perfect for kids as well as adults.
However, it is most famous for kids and young people.
5) Food and restaurants:
Besides, you may like to taste Japanese-style food. There are many famous restaurants in the Taito area.
However, never forget to make a booking online because Taito Tokyo is a business and tourist spot; without booking, you may not be able to get seats in the restaurants.
You can find different types of restaurants here.
However, if you do not want to book, you can see a famous restaurant in Asakusa.