Denboin Street (Denboin-dori)
Tokyo, Kanto
In Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood—a traveler favorite for its old temples and traditional charm—you’ll find this pedestrianized street that runs east–west, intersecting with the busier north–south Nakamise Shopping Street. Although this area was badly damaged during World War II, it’s been reconstructed in the loose style of Edo-era Tokyo (spanning the 17th-19th centuries).
The basics
Strolling through Asakusa, between your arrival station and the grand Senso-ji Temple complex, is a must for visitors to Tokyo. Denboin Street is wider than the nearby Nakamise Shopping Street, so it can be more comfortable to walk at busy times. Following the road west from the intersection with Nakamise, you’ll eventually reach the traditionally landscaped Denboin Garden.
Many people visit Denboin Street independently. Asakusa is a fixture on many group and private tours of Tokyo, which typically visit Nakamise Shopping Street, the Senso-ji Temple, and sometimes Kappabashi-dori, where kitchen goods are sold. Denboin Street is more of a side street than a main thoroughfare, so some tours may skip it.
Things to know before you go
- Take a load off by riding in one of the area’s hand-pulled rickshaws.
- Denboin Street is only about 650 feet (200 meters) long, so it doesn’t take much time to walk from one end to the other.
- For a quick local snack while strolling, buy a dango stick: rice balls covered in a sweet sauce.
How to get there
Unless you’re on a guided tour that arranges transportation, the best way to reach Asakusa is by train or subway. Many lines serve the neighborhood—the Ginza and Asakusa Subway Lines, Tsukuba Express, and Tobu Railway all have stations around Asakusa. From there you’ll need to walk to Denboin Street, as much of the area is pedestrianized.
When to get there
If you want to shop or browse the stalls, go during regular business hours. Timings vary, but you can expect most things to be open between late morning and mid-evening. The area is especially busy on the weekends, and although the street is pedestrianized, you’ll have to contend with quite a lot of foot traffic.
What to buy on Denboin Street
Denboin Street is a good place to pick up some souvenirs. Look out for folding fans, textiles, traditional kimono and yukata (lightweight summer kimono), wooden combs, decorative hair pins, cut glassware, and beautifully boxed Japanese sweets, among more modern items like Western clothing.
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