Stay at Kaminarimon Ryokan and Explore Asakusa's Tradition and Culture

Immerse Yourself in Tokyo's Asakusa Area

Photo by Pixta

Asakusa is the place to visit if you wish to learn more about Tokyo's history since ancient times.

From the Edo Period, this district flourished around Sensoji Temple, a pilgrimage site for many Buddhist worshippers. Even today, many of the area's ancient traditions remain.

Some of the local attractions include Tokyo's famous Sanja Matsuri Festival, well-established Japanese-style restaurants and confectionery shops, and rickshaws or human-powered carriages that take visitors on tours of the area.

Nakamise-dori shopping street. Photo by Pixta

Many domestic and international visitors who visit Asakusa seek experiences of Japanese culture here. We highly recommend booking a stay at Kaminarimon Ryokan.

By staying at this ryokan, you'll get to spend some leisurely time in Asakusa, a district that can't be experienced to the fullest by simply walking around the town.

Conveniently Located Just Minutes from Asakusa Station

Kaminarimon Ryokan is located just one minute on foot from Exit 1 of Asakusa Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza Subway Line).

When facing Kaminarimon Gate, you'll see Kaminarimon Ryokan on your left-hand side. The building's first and second floors are home to a Starbucks Coffee shop, and floors three to seven are occupied by the ryokan. You won't have any problems getting here if you use Starbucks as the landmark.

Getting to Asakusa from Haneda and Narita Airport only requires one train ride. Upon arriving, you can drop off your luggage at the ryokan and immediately begin your long-awaited sightseeing adventure!

The nearby area has many shops, including convenience stores and drugstores, so you can easily pick up anything you need. Kaminarimon Ryokan also makes an ideal sightseeing base for longer-term stays.

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Enjoy Japanese Culture! Interior Decorated with Traditional Crafts

Kaminarimon Ryokan was founded shortly after the war in 1947. At the time, it opened for business in a one-story wooden building.

In 1979, the name was changed to Hotel Kaminarimon and rebranded as a business hotel. Dealing with a deteriorating building and anticipating the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, it had a renewal opening as a ryokan in 2019. Reinstalling its original name, Kaminarimon Ryokan got off to a fresh start.

Kaminarimon Ryokan's concept is Enjoy Japanese Culture.

The building was designed by famous Japanese architect Sei Takeyama, who was also in charge of Gora Kadan Ryokan in Hakone. The structure's exterior makes use of sandstone from India. While having a quiet presence beside the iconic Kaminarimon, it also blends in with the surrounding environment.

The interior, on the other hand, with its clay walls and extensive use of wood, has a calm and peaceful feeling.

The inside premises are decorated with old maps, antiques, and ukiyoe (Japanese woodblock prints), all carefully selected by the manager. This theme has been implemented throughout the ryokan, allowing guests to feel the presence of Japanese culture.

The front desk also provides service in English, so overseas visitors can have a worry-free stay.

Fully Enjoy the Japanese Ambience in the Guest Rooms

The ryokan has a total of 13 guest rooms. Each guest room has been given a name such as Sakura or Seigaiha. We were told the rooms were named after specific patterns and designs used on karakami, a beautiful decorative paper.

Let's look at the characteristics of the various rooms.

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Suite Room Sakura: Equipped With a Private Terrace

Suite Room Sakura occupies the entire seventh floor, which is the ryokan's top floor. This suite has a combination of Western and Japanese-style rooms. In terms of space, it covers a total of 72 square meters (775 square feet) and has a 65 square meter (700 square feet) terrace.

This is a luxurious suite with a terrace offering an all-encompassing view of Asakusa.

In addition to the Kaminarimon Gate and Tokyo Skytree, visitors can get a good look at the festivities during the annual Sanja Matsuri in May and Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival in July.

Outside the bath is an inner garden. During the fall, guests can admire colorful autumn foliage as they soak in the tub.

Scattered throughout each guest room are materials and motifs associated with the respective room's name.

Inside Suite Room Sakura, for example, the bed headboards and sliding door frames are made with cherry wood. The sliding screen door (fusuma) is also covered with decorative karakami paper, featuring a cherry blossom design (see photo above). During your stay, you might just discover sakura motifs in some unlikely places.

The suite room has two beds with Sealy mattresses, and the Japanese-style room can accommodate up to five futons. In other words, a party of five can comfortably stay here.

Suite Room Seigaiha Comes with a Comfortable Sofa

Suite Room Seigaiha on the sixth floor features a combination of Western and Japanese-style rooms. It covers a total of 62 square meters (667 square feet), and is the only guest room with a comfy sofa.

Just like Suite Room Sakura (seventh floor), Seigaiha offers a stunning panorama of Kaminarimon and Tokyo Skytree. Guests are also treated to great views of the Sanja Matsuri and Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival.

Additionally, visitors can get a close-up look at the Asakusa Culture and Tourism Center, designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma.

The bathroom has a tub made from Japanese cypress wood. Guests can enjoy the relaxing fragrance of cypress while soaking in the bath.

This suite has two beds and allows up to three futons in the Japanese-style room; parties of up to five guests can be accommodated here.

Suite Rooms Sakura and Seigaiha both offer day trip plans that include lunch. These are recommended for those looking to relax in a hinoki bathtub during a sightseeing break. Alternatively, this plan is ideal if you'd like to enjoy a leisurely lunch in peaceful surroundings.

Korinkiku: A Comfortable Japanese-Style Standard Room

Korinkiku is one of the standard Japanese-style rooms on the sixth floor.

The sleeping quarters feature tatami flooring with nine mats in total. This space ranges in size from 33 square meters (355 square feet) to 36 square meters (388 square feet).

These standard-type rooms are extremely popular and were even featured on a Japanese TV program.

From the room's large windows, guests can see how daily life in Asakusa unfolds below. With private residences nearby and people passing by, you can get a glimpse into the life of a typical working class neighborhood.

The wood accents and clay walls give the room a warm feeling, so you'll be able to spend some relaxing time here.

In addition to the three rooms that were introduced, there are a variety of other room types available.

There is the Universal Room with a Western-style interior featuring wheelchair access, as well as single rooms that are ideal for solo travelers. Please select the room that best suits your personal style and travel needs.

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Traditional Japanese Breakfast: A Treat for the Eyes!

Picture courtesy of Kaminarimon Ryokan

Kaminarimon Ryokan's charm is not limited to its convenient location or rooms where guests can experience the beauty of Japanese culture.

Another reason for its popularity is the Japanese-style breakfast. This is skillfully prepared by a chef who trained at Junsei, a long-established Japanese restaurant in Kyoto.

This authentic kaiseki-style cuisine includes such entrees as grilled fish and tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet) and is a treat for both the eyes and palate. There have even been guests who booked a room after hearing about the breakfast offerings.

There is a limit of 20 breakfast sets per day, and the menu changes seasonally.

The chef also has extensive experience with vegetarian cuisine. We were told that vegetarian and children-friendly meals can also be prepared if requested beforehand.

Guests who would like to savor a breakfast that's unique to Japan are advised to book a room plan with breakfast included.

Since Asakusa has no shortage of great restaurants, the ryokan does not offer dinner services. Please ask the staff for their recommended local dining spots.

Feel Asakusa's Rustic Atmosphere and Charm

Photo by Pixta

The recommended style of staying at Kaminarimon Ryokan is to fully enjoy the atmosphere of Asakusa's working-class neighborhood.

For example, you can visit famous nearby spots such as Sensoji Temple, taste local food at long-established restaurants, and look for souvenirs along the bustling shotengai (shopping street).

If you stay at Kaminarimon Ryokan—conveniently located in the heart of Asakusa—you'll be able to immerse yourself here for an entire day.

By consulting with the knowledgeable ryokan staff, it will be fun to discover great restaurants and little-known hot spots not listed in guidebooks. Even if you drop into interesting places on the spur of the moment, you'll be sure to have a memorable trip.

Photo by Pixta

The Senior Managing Director, Mr. Tobe said, "The government's stay home measures and many challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic continue today. But someday, I'd like to see international visitors experience the beauty of Japanese culture and vibrancy of Tokyo's neighborhoods once again. We want to provide guests with first-class hospitality, so they'll remember us as an important part of their special experience here in Japan."

The popular Yakatabune (Japanese pleasure boats) in Asakusa. Photo by Pixta

Kaminarimon Ryokan looks forward to the arrival of international guests again in the future.

Additionally, visitors staying here are offered exceptional scenery and hospitality, as well as opportunities to meet other guests and locals while exploring the depth of Japanese culture.

Please pay a visit to Kaminarimon Ryokan and enjoy some wonderful time here experiencing Japanese culture!

Kaminarimon Ryokan

1-18-2 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0032

Written by Anri.I
Supported by the Japan Ryokan and Hotel Association Tokyo Branch